The value of nature is something we must actively recognise and nurture, especially in a world where it is often overshadowed by technology.

I’m currently reading a fascinating book by Isabella Tree, ‘Wilding‘. ‘The value of nature’ is an eye opening chapter regarding the change in our modern day connection and time in nature for our children. It also highlights that in recent years, the Oxford Junior English Dictionary has removed essential nature words like ‘almond’, ‘blackberry’, and ‘conker’, replacing them with words ‘analogue’, ‘blog’, and ‘chat room’. This shift reflects a significant change in how children engage with the world around them, as fewer opportunities to connect with nature lead to a disconnect from its importance.

With the statistics showing that only 10% of children now play outdoors regularly, we must consider the implications this has on their wellbeing. Once, 40% of children played in natural settings, fostering not just physical health but emotional richness. As families, we can support a return to these experiences, advocating for more natural play and exploration in our daily lives.

By encouraging our children to interact with the environment, we are not just preserving vocabulary but also cultivating a sense of connection with the world. The removal of these words from our children’s lexicon signals a broader trend that we should address, ensuring that the value of nature and its many benefits are not lost to future generations.

The Significance of Nature in Family Life

Nature plays a vital role in the family dynamic, nurturing bonds and fostering wellbeing among us all. Engaging with the outdoor environment supports our children’s growth and sparks their curiosity. It’s essential we create intentional opportunities for them to reconnect with the natural world.

Nurturing Wellbeing and Connection Through the Outdoors

Spending time outdoors offers numerous mental health benefits for families. Fresh air and natural light enhance our mood and reduce stress. Research shows that regular outdoor activity can lead to decreased anxiety and improved overall wellbeing.

Nature encourages meaningful connections among family members. Whether it’s hiking, playing at the park, or simply walking the dog, these activities foster communication and teamwork. They provide a break from screens, allowing us to engage more deeply with each other and our surroundings. As we explore together, we nurture not only our physical health but also emotional bonds that strengthen our family unit.

Supporting Children’s Curiosity and Growth With Exposure to Nature

Nature stimulates our children’s innate curiosity. As they explore their environment, they encounter new sights, sounds, and creatures. This exposure fosters a sense of wonder and encourages questions, allowing us to nurture a love for learning.

Hands-on experiences outdoors lead to meaningful lessons. Collecting leaves or watching wildlife can teach our children about biodiversity and ecosystems. We provide them with the opportunity to develop observational skills and critical thinking abilities. These interactions lay the groundwork for lifelong respect for nature and a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

Simple Ways Families Can Encourage Natural Play

Integrating nature into our play can be simple and enjoyable. Here are a few ideas:

  • Outdoor Activities: Schedule regular family outings to parks, forests, or gardens. It doesn’t have to be elaborate; a picnic or nature scavenger hunt can make great memories.
  • Gardening: Involve children in planting flowers or vegetables. This hands-on activity teaches them about growth cycles and responsibility.
  • Nature Crafts: Use natural materials for arts and crafts. Leaves, stones, and twigs can inspire creativity and appreciation for the earth.
  • Walks in Nature: Make it a habit to take walks in green spaces. This can be a fantastic way to unwind and connect while observing seasonal changes.

By making these small choices, we encourage our children to form lasting bonds with the environment and with each other, creating a nurturing family experience.

The Changing Language of Nature in Childhood

Our interactions with nature are transforming, reflected notably in the vocabulary shaping childhood experiences. As we observe changes in educational resources like the Oxford Junior English Dictionary, we see a significant shift away from nature-oriented words towards terminology rooted in the digital age. Let’s explore how this evolution affects children today and the implications of prioritising technology over nature.

Evolution of Natural Vocabulary in the Oxford Junior English Dictionary

Since 2007, the Oxford Junior English Dictionary has omitted numerous words associated with the natural world, such as almond, blackberry, and crocus, replacing them with terms like analogue, block graph, and celebrity. In the 2012 edition, more nature terms, including acorn and buttercup, were also removed in favour of digital words such as attachment and chat room.

This change reflects how children are increasingly disconnected from direct experiences with nature. The removal of words like otter and kingfisher further emphasises this trend and highlights our growing focus on technology in education. We are left with a vocabulary that may contribute to a disinterest in the natural world, ultimately shaping our children’s understanding of their environment.

Consequences of Prioritising Digital Over Organic Terms

Our reliance on digital language has serious implications for how children relate to nature. With only 10% of children regularly playing outdoors, the loss of natural vocabulary diminishes their connection to the environment. Words shape perception; without the language of nature, we risk fostering a culture that neglects the importance of the great outdoors.

When words like cut and paste and broadband replace the rich language of the natural world, we unintentionally convey a message that nature is less valuable. Heron’, ‘herring’, ‘kingfisher’, ‘lark’, ‘leopard’, ‘lobster’, ‘magpie’, ‘minnow’, ‘mussel’, ’newt’, ‘otter’, ‘ox’, ‘oyster’ and ‘panther’ have all been deleted from the Oxford Junior English Dictionary.

Encouraging children to engage with the environment is crucial. By nurturing their familiarity with nature-related vocabulary, we not only enrich their language development but also empower them to make meaningful connections with the world around them.

Modern Lifestyles and Their Impact on Outdoor Play

Our contemporary lifestyles significantly influence how children interact with nature. As urban living becomes more prevalent, access to natural spaces diminishes, and outdoor play decreases. This shift warrants attention, as experiences in the natural world have lasting benefits for children’s health and development.

Declining Access to Nature for UK Children

With 80% of the UK population living in urban centres, children now face a steep decline in opportunities to engage with nature. Research indicates that just 10% of children regularly play outdoors, compared to 40% only a generation ago. Additionally, our children’s connection to familiar nature words in dictionaries reflects this disconnect. Words like “acorn,” “buttercup,” and “crocus” have been replaced with technology-driven terms, signalling a lack of natural exposure.

We know that playtime in natural settings fosters creativity, reduces stress, and promotes physical health. Yet, increasing urbanisation leaves many children without access to parks or green spaces. This gap highlights the importance of nurturing a relationship with nature, underscoring our duty to support children’s outdoor experiences.

Barriers to Low-Tox, Nature-Based Activities

Several barriers impede children’s access to nature-based activities. Safety concerns are paramount; many parents worry about traffic hazards and strange adults in the community. Although, there is no evidence to suggest the world is a more dangerous for children than it was 50 years ago. This leads to restrictions on outdoor play, further isolating children from meaningful outdoor experiences.

Additionally, the rise of digital technology plays a role. With the easy availability of screens, kids often choose indoor activities over outdoor play. While technology has its benefits, we must encourage a balanced approach.

Creating low-tox environments is crucial. When we supply natural play materials, such as sticks or stones, we enhance children’s imaginative play while reducing exposure to harmful substances. By addressing these barriers and promoting intentional outdoor experiences, we can cultivate a more nurturing, nature-connected lifestyle for our families.

Intentional Steps Towards a More Nature-Connected Home

Creating a nature-connected home involves incorporating practical tools and fostering a language that supports our children’s experiences with the natural world. We can take meaningful steps that encourage outdoor exploration and a deeper appreciation of nature.

Practical Tools for Reintroducing Nature to Daily Life

To bridge the gap between our homes and the natural world, we can use various practical tools. One helpful approach is to set up a nature corner at home, complete with items like potted plants, natural materials, and seasonal decorations. This acts as a constant reminder of the outdoors.

Additionally, we can create a weekly nature diary. In it, we can encourage our children to document their observations of plants, animals, or weather conditions. This fosters curiosity and connection. Organising regular outdoor activities, such as local walks or community gardening events, also provides hands-on experiences that make nature a part of our lives.

Finally, investing in quality nature-themed books can spark discussions about the environment. Choosing storytelling that reflects the beauty of nature helps instil a sense of wonder and fosters an emotional bond with the world around us.

Supporting Mindful Language and Experiences With Children

We play an important role in shaping our children’s understanding of nature through the language we use and the experiences we share. Encouraging descriptive language when discussing outdoor adventures nurtures their literacy while connecting them to the environment.

For example, we can use rich vocabulary to describe the sounds of rustling leaves or the colour of a sunset. This not only improves their language skills but also deepens their awareness of their surroundings.

Moreover, planning experiences such as nature walks, where we can identify local flora and fauna, enriches their education. We can guide them to notice details, share stories about different plants, or even talk about local wildlife.

By fostering these mindful interactions, we encourage a lasting appreciation for nature that can influence our children’s values and choices as they grow.