Page 27 - NatureStart Network

• Successful family nature play programs will strive to
help all types of parents and caregivers feel included
and confident, and address the needs of all family
members, including babies, teenagers, fathers,
grandparents, and children with special needs.

• Urban-dwelling families often face very real and
legitimate challenges to spending time with nature,
including inequitable access to safe green space. We
must build effective bridges between families and
nature in our spaces and programs.

FOR PRACTICE
Become aware of the ways in which families are
represented in a variety of media or by a range of
organizations. As a starting point, go to your favorite
internet search engine and search images using the
following phrases or variations: family; different types
of families; family diversity; modern family structures;
etc. Now, expand that image search by including phrases
such as: family play; family time; family togetherness;
families having fun; families learning together; etc.
Compare and contrast these images with an image
search using phrases such as: families in cities; families in
nature; or families with nature. Try other family image
comparisons. Try an image search using the phrase
loving families or families in love. Now, try an image
search using the phrase families in poverty. Begin to
create an image library of families with nature that is
representative and inclusive of a wide variety of families,
and includes positive nature experiences in cityscapes
and urban spaces. Use a combination of images that you
find and that you create.

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