TOGETHERINNATURE

PathwaystoaStronger,CloserFamily
JANUARY2012 REVISEDPILOTEDITION

bySaraSt.Antoine withCherylCharlesandRichardLouv

Supportedinpartby

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

TableofContents
Introduction . 4 Understanding The Importance of Parent-Child Attachment 4 Factors that Help or Hinder Parents In Building a Secure Attachment ...... 6 Family Bonding in Nature 6 The Health-Nature Connection ... 7 Getting Started. 8 Infants and Toddlers...... 9 School-Age Children 10 Teenagers .. 11 Frequently Asked Questions .... 12 Resources .. 13 Activities . 13 Acknowledgements . 14 About the Children & Nature Network 14

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

TOGETHERINNATURE

PathwaystoaStronger,CloserFamily

Freshair,agentlebreeze,thewarmth ofthesun,thefragranceofowers andgrasscancalmbothafussybaby andafrazzledparent,allowingforone ofthosespecialmomentsof quietconnec on.

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

TOGETHERINNATURE
PathwaystoaStronger,CloserFamily
ForDebraSco ,takingherdaughteronweeklynatureou ngswithotherfamilieswasarevela on. Ino cedonthosedaysmydaughtersleptbe erandhadabe erappe te.Ino cedIsleptbe eraswell andwasinabe ermood.Especiallyinthewintermonths,stressfulthingsseemedlessimportanta era goodplayoutside. Asyoumayknow,formingaclosebondwithyourchildisoneofthemostimportantthingsyoucan dofrominfancyrightupthroughtheteenageyears.Strongearlybondswithparents,grandparents,and othercaregivershelpchildrenfeelasenseoftrustandcondencethroughouttheirlife mes. Butnurturingthosebondsrequiresthingsthatareo eninshortsupplyintodaysworld: metoslowdown, focus,andblockoutthedistrac onsofcellphonesandotherelectronicdevices;pa encetolistenand respondthough ullytoachildsneedsandcomments;andthecapacitytokeepdailystressincheckenough toenjoylifessmallandgreatsharedmoments. Forallthesereasons,spending meinnaturewithyourchildrenmaybeanidealwaytonurturefamily bonds,whetheryouredealingwithafussyinfantorarecalcitrantteen.Naturedoesnthaveringtonesor deadlines.Youcanreachitwithoutspendingapenny.Andyoucanevengetoutdoorstogetherwithother familiestoincreasethesociabilityandfun.AsparentslikeDebraSco havediscovered,ge ngoutdoorscan helpbothyouandyourchildfeelbe er,whilegivingyoucommongroundfordiscoveryandplay. NaturecanbecoexperiencedbyparentandchildinwaysthatChuckE.Cheesesjustcant. RonSwaisgood,biologistandcofounderofFamilyAdventuresinNature

UNDERSTANDINGTHEIMPORTANCEOFPARENTCHILD ATTACHMENTANDSTRONGFAMILYBONDS
Childpsychologistsandotherexpertsinhumandevelopmentknowthe importanceofstrongfamilybonds.Thesebondsbeginininfancywith whatisknownasa achmentapowerfulrela onshipthatforms betweenachildandhisorherprimarycaregiversintherstmonthsof life.PsychiatristJohnBowlbywasthersttodescribeatheoryof a achmentmorethan yyearsago,callingitalas ngpsychological connectednessbetweenhumanbeings.1Sincethen,researchinformed byBowlbyandhiscolleagueMaryAinsworth(whodevelopedthe meanstoassessqualityoftheparentchilda achment)hasconrmed thatasecureparentchilda achmentisacrucialfounda onforachilds latercompetenceandwellbeing. 1 Bowlby,John.A achmentandLoss:Vol.I.Loss(NewYork:BasicBooks, 1969).

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

PsychiatristJohnBowlby,thefatherofa achmenttheory,wasalsoadevotednaturalist.Infact,his theoryofa achmentdrawsheavilyfromtheresearchdisciplineknownasethology,thestudyofanimal behavior.Ethologiststendtoapproachtheirstudiesfromanecologicalorsystemsperspec ve.Bowlby sawa achmentasanadap vebehaviorthatcontributedtohumansurvival,muchasotherspecies haveadap vebehaviors(migra on,careforyoung)tohelpthemsurvive.

Accordingtorecentstudies,about70%ofU.S.babies developasecurea achment,thoughsomesaythis numberisdeclining.Theremaining30%aresaidto havesomeformofinsecurea achment.These insecurelya achedchildrenareatgreaterriskof experiencinganxiety,insecurity,behavioralproblems, andrela onshipdicul esthroughouttheirlife mes. Incontrast,asecurea achmentsupportsthechilds developmentoftrust,condence,empathyandself regula on(theabilitytomanagedicultemo ons andcontrolimpulses)importantquali esforge ng alonginasocialworld.Inaddi on,recentstudiesof braindevelopmenthavedemonstratedastrong connec onbetweensecurea achmentandahostof mentalprocessesincludingverbalreasoning,planning,workingmemory,andproblemsolvingthatfall undertheumbrellatermexecu vefunc on. Whatdoesittaketogiveyourchildasecurea achment?Youllberelievedtoknowitsrela velysimple stu.Sootheacryingbaby,feedahungryone,lookababyintheeyes,smileandplaypeekaboo,talkwarmly andplayfullytoababy,andalsoknowwhentogiveababyquietspacewhenheorshedoesnotwanthugs or cklesorfood.Theseresponsescanbesummedupasfollows: emo onalavailability(beingemo onallypresentto thechild); aec vesharing(respondingtogetherovershared sights,soundsandexperiences); followingthechildslead(heedingachildscuesfor whatheorsheneeds). Asachildgrowsolder,bondswithfamilycon nuetoplayakeyroleinsocialandemo onaldevelopment. Parentsandothercaregiverswhoencourageachildtoshareherorhisthoughtsandfeelings,listen a en vely,andrespondappropriatelytothechildsneedswillhelpthatchildfeelmorecondentand secureintoadolescenceandbeyond.Bowlbystheoryholdsthatchildrenusetheira achmentgures,typi callyparents,asasafebase.Justasmountainclimbersuseabasecamptoprovidesafetyandsecurityif troubledevelops,childrenwillusetheirparentsasabasecampfromwhichtoexploretheirenvironment.

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

FACTORSTHATHELPORHINDERPARENTSINBUILDINGASECUREATTACHMENT
Eventhoughnurturingasecurea achmentisntrocketscience,providingthiskindofa en onisntalways easy.Parentswhoareuninformed,understress,oroverwhelmedbytoomanyresponsibili esmaynotbeas capableofprovidingthekindofa en onthatbabiesandyoungchildrenrequire. Inordertobuildasecurea achment,oneoftherstthingseveryparentneedsisabasicknowledgeand understandingofchilddevelopment.Parentssome mesneedhelpknowingwhatbabiesneedfor example,thataninfantscriesareawayofcommunica ngandthatignoringthosecrieswillincreasethe babysinsecurityratherthanhelpingthebabygrowstrongandresilient. Inaddi on,allparentsneedsupportforthemselvesinordertocarefortheirchild.Thiscantaketheform ofinstrumentalsupport,suchashelpwithchildcareandhousework.Anditalsomeansemo onalsupport mentorstoprovideguidance,peerstocommiserateandencouragethroughparen ngchallenges,and some mesprofessionalswhocanprovidecounselingfordepression,anxiety,andotherdicul esmanynew parentsexperience. Finally,asparentslooktodevelopsecurea achmentswiththeirchildren,theyo enneedtospendsome meexamininghowtheythemselveswerecaredforinchildhood.Accordingtoa achmentresearch,how parentshavecometothinkaboutthewaytheyweretreatedwhatiscalledstateofmindabout a achmentisasimportantastheactualcaretheyreceived.

FAMILYBONDINGINNATURE
Sowhatdoessharednatureexperiencehaveto dowithparentchilda achment?Research hasntyetlookedspecicallyatalinkbetween outdoorexperienceinnatureandqualityof parentchilda achment.Andofcourseparents andothercaregiverscanbesensi veand responsivetotheirbabiesandyoungchildren indoorsorout.Butinmanyways,thenatural worldseemstoinviteandfacilitateparentchild connec onandsensi veinterac ons. Forexample,asmanypeoplenote,todays homesarelledwithdistrac ons:householdchoresbeggingtobedone,plusTVs,computersandtelephones invi ngparentstomul taskratherthanfocusontheirbaby.Unpluggingfromoutsidemediaandtakinga childintothebackyard,apark,oranearbynaturalareacaneliminatethosedistrac ons,makingiteasierfor parentstobeemo onallyavailabletothechildoneofthemostimportantfactorsinbuildinga achment.

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

Whatsmore, meinnaturecreatesregularopportuni esforaec vesharingasyouandyourchildoohand aahtogetherovernaturessimplewondersthatpurpleower,thatenormousspiderweb,thosebright stars. Becausethenaturalworldislledwithsights,sounds,andsmellsthatigniteayoungchildscuriosityand inviteac veexplora on,beingoutdoorsalsocanmakeiteasyforaparenttofollowthechildslead.When youheadoutdoors,respondtoyourchildscuesandexpressedinterests.Shareyourchildsdelightinnew discoveriesandexperiences.Youmayevennd,ashavesomanyparentsbeforeyou,thatge ngoutdoorsis thebestwaytosoothea red,crankyinfant.Freshair,agentlebreeze,thewarmthofthesun,andthe fragranceofowersandgrasscancalmbothafussybabyandafrazzledparent,allowingforoneofthose specialmomentsofquietconnec on.

THEHEALTHNATURECONNECTION
A achmentisnttheonlyaspectofchildhooddevelopmentthatcanbesupportedby meinnature. Overthelastdecade,researchershavediscoveredmanyfascina ngconnec onsbetweennatureplay andchildrenscogni ve,physical,andemo onaldevelopment.Timeoutdoorsespeciallyunstructured meinmorenaturalse ngscanreducechildrensstress,increasetheircuriosityandcrea vity, improvetheirphysicalcoordina on,andreducesymptomsassociatedwitha en ondecitdisorder (ADD)andothercondi ons.Amongthespecicndingsofrecentresearcharethese: kidswhospendmore meoutsidetendtobemoreac veandarelesslikelytobeoverweight; kindergartenerswhohaveregularplayinnaturalse ngshavebe ermotortness,especially balanceandcoordina on,thanthosewhoplayonconven onalplaygrounds; teachersobservedschoolchildrentoengageinmorecoopera vebehaviorandproblemsolvingwhile playinginanaturalplayspaceatschoolthanonamoretypicalconstructedschoolplayground; kidswitha en ondecithyperac vitydisorder(ADHD)performedbe erontestsa ertakinga shortwalkinanaturalparkse ngandevenclosedthegapwiththeirnonADHDpeers;and youngpeoplewhoengageinregularoutdoorac vi esarelesslikelytoneedglassesfor nearsightednessthanthosewhodonot. Byfollowingaprescrip onformorenatureexperiencetogether,familieswilldiscoverawin/win situa oninwhichbothchildrenandadultsbenetasindividuals,evenastheyarestrengtheningthose importantfamilybondsthatallchildren(andadults)need.

MarthaFarrellErickson,developmentalpsychologistandfoundingdirector(emerita)oftheUniversity ofMinnesotasChildren,Youth,andFamilyConsor umandcohostoftheMomEnoughparen ng show

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

GETTINGSTARTED
Webelievethatge ngoutdoorswithyourchildrenisapowerfulwaytosupporttheirdevelopmentandto nurturesecureparentchilda achments.Butisthisaskingtoomuch?Manyparentsalreadylongformore qualityfamily me,andknowitisimportantfortheirchildrenshealthanddevelopment.Buttheirjobs, childrensac vityschedules,andtheseduc vepoweroftechnology(forbothkidsandparents,whoare o eninseparateroomsinfrontoftheirseparatescreens)makefamily meanelusivevision.Hearingnow thattheyneedtomakesuretheirkidshave metoplayandexploreoutsideontopofalltheother demandsontheir mecanfeel,asonemomsaidrecently,like,OnemoreoughttothatIendupfeeling stressedandguiltyabout. But,whatifthatonemoreoughttocouldhelpparentsachievetheimportantgoalofincreasingfamily meandbuildingcloser,strongerconnec onswiththeirchildren?Andwhatifthatonemorethingalso couldalleviatesomeofthestressbothparentsandkidsexperienceintheiro enhurriedlives?Webelieve thenaturalworldisntanotherburden,butanallyformakingeverymemberofyourfamilyfeelbe erand closer. Withthatinmind,wevelistedbelowsomeofourfavoritenatureac vi esforeveryagegroup,withaspe cialemphasisonac vi esthataremostconducivetobuildingandmaintainingsecureparentchild a achments.Wehopeyoullusetheseandotherideastodiscoverwhataboostyourfamilycangetfroma regulardoseofnature. Alongtheway,keepinmindthefollowing ps: Itsaboutbeingthere,notge ngthere.Youmaybeitchingtoexplorealongtrail,butyourkidsmaybe happiestndingaplacetose ledownandplayintherst400yards.Followtheirleadtoprolongthejoy. Natureiseverywhere.Youcanreapthebenetsof meoutdoorsbyplan ngseedsinapotonyour frontstooporbysketchingastreettreeasmuchasbyventuringintoawildpreserve. Beprepared.TheScoutshaveitright:tomaximizetheenjoymentofyour meoutdoors,bringalong snacks,water,sunscreen,andevenachangeofclothesincaseyourkidsgetwetorcold. Embracetheelements.Whosaysyoucanthaveagreat meoutdoorsonarainyorcoldday?Dress right,haveasillyadventure,andwebetyoullallbecalmerandmorecontentedwhenyoucomeback indoors. Modelcuriosity.Ifyouseeplantsoranimalsorholesornestsyoucantiden fynoma er!Expressyour curiosityandfollowyourkidsinnatewonder.Youcanalwayslookthingsuptogetherwhenyouget home. Bringfriends.Youcanbondasafamilyinthecompanyofotherfamilies;infact,youmighthaveeven morefun! Createstories.Attheendoftheday,inviteyourkidstotalkabouttheirfavoritepartofyour me outdoors.Revisitplacesyouvebeenandretellstoriesofwhatyoudid.Insodoing,youllbedeveloping yourfamilyloreandsuppor ngthewonderfulconnec onsyouvebuilttogetheroutdoorsinnature. BestveminutesIeverspentwithhim. Missourifatherdescribinga mewhenheandhissonwalkedinthewoodsandlaydownonthesnow besideeachotherforthebriefestofnaps.
Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

Beingoutsideisnowapriorityforus.Mydaughterhasgainedcondenceinherselfandherabili es. IonlywishwehadstartedearlierandIhadnttakensolongtoconvert.

DebraSco ,long mememberoftheAc veKidsClubandorganizerofthenewBeachCluboutdoor playgroupinToronto,Canada Infants WalktheWalk.Wanderoutdoorswithyourbabyinapackorinyourarms.Vowtoleaveyourcellphonein yourpocket,ringero,soyouremorepresentforyourbaby.Gazearoundyouattheskyandtrees.Point outthecolors,sayhellotosquirrelsandothercreatures.Listentobirdsandbreezes.Oohandaah. MellowFellows.Isyourbabyfussy?Takehimorheroutside.Sitonaswingorrockthebabyunderthe dappledlightofatree.Takeawalkinthemoonlight.Youmightbeamazedatwhatagoodpaciernature canbe! TheMagicTouch.Helpyourbabytouchwonderfulpiecesofnature.Whatdoesthebarkofatreefeellike? Grass?Moss?Smoothpebbles?Pondwater?Sharethesediscoveriestogether.Ifyourbabyndssomething shelovesthefeelof,letherlingeraslongashera en onholdsherthere. NaturalNursery.Thenext metheweatherislovely,headoutdoorsforthewholeofamorningora ernoon. Spreadabigblanketunderatree.Bringbooks,snacks,andacoupleofso toys.Letyourbabycrawlover andonyou.Watchthebirdsandtheleafyshadowsontheground.Curluptogetherforali lenap.Breathe deep. Toddlers WaterBugs.Visitapuddle,stream,pond,orbeachandinviteli leones tothrowpebblesintothewater.Theylllovecollec ngdierentsized pebblesandlisteningtotheplinksandplunkstheymakeinthewater. Tryawholehandfulforapebblesymphony.Staynearbyandlistento gether.Dontbesurprisedifyourtoddlercans ckwiththisac vityfora long me!Bepa entandenjoythemoment. NaturesShowandTell.Youngchildrenlovecollec ngobjectsin nature.Ifyourchildndsaspecialtreasure,crouchdownandtakea momenttorespondandtalkaboutit.Youmightevensetupatablein yourhousetodisplayacorns,leaves,shells,feathers,rocks,seedpods, andothernaturalwondersfromyourneighborhoodandbeyond. DigDeep.Hasyourchildjustdiscoveredagreatmudpatchorasweet stretchofsand?Ifpossible,plopdownanddigin!Youmightgetout sometools,suchasshovels,pots,andspoons.Orjustuseyourhands andknowyoucanalwayswashuplater.Orderupsomesandpiesor mudcookiesandletyourchildknowhowdelicioustheyare.Shapea houseandletyourchildhelpyoubuildanddecorateitwithyou.
Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

RoomtoRomp.Toddlersareo engameforheartyexplora onsoutdoorsiftheyhavethesecurityofa parentorgrandparentrightnearby.Holdyourli leoneshandsastheyclamberoverfallenlogsorwade throughashallowcreekorchasethewind.Givethemali throughtallgrassesordeepsnow.Crouchclose togethertowatchrabbits,worms,orotherneighborhoodwildlife.Liesidebysidetocountcloudsorstars. Over me,Ivecometorealizethatafewin mateplacesmeanmoretomychildren,andtoothers,than allthegloriouspanoramasIcouldevershowthem.

GaryPaulNabhan,TheGeographyofChildhood

SchoolageChildren AGreenThumbsUp.Askyourkidsiftheydliketoplant owerpotsorevenawholegarden.Invitethemtoselectthe colorsandtheplants.Theycanevenselectatheme,suchasa bu erygarden(designedtoa ractbu eries)orasalsa garden(completewithtomatoesortoma llos,onions,chiles, andcilantro).Spend metogetherplanningandplan ngyour garden,tendingit,andenjoyingitsfrui on. HappyTrails.Schoolagekidsmakegreathikers,especiallyifyoufocusonhavingplayfulfuninsteadof coveringlotsofmiles.Startbyusingyourlocalbookstoreandonlinesourcestondappealingplacesto explore.Onceyourethere,followyourchildrensleadasmuchaspossible.Maybetheywanttograbas ck andmakeitaswordoramagicwand.Maybetheywanttoclimbatree.Maybetheywanttobuildadam acrossali lerivulet.Youcanhonortheirimpulsesevenasyouprovideoversight.Asyouandyourchildren developcondenceoutdoors,allowthemthefreedomtoroamawayfromyouasmuchasfeelsright.An importantaspectofparentchilda achmentisprovidingasecurebasefromwhichyourchildbeginsto developindependence. GreenArchitects.Next meyourehangingoutbesideastreamorevenunderacitytree,consideraskingif anyonewantstobuildfairyorelfhouses.Uses cks,rocks,leaves,grasses,andothernaturalobjectstobuild yourstructuresanddecoratethemwithpebbles,s cks,owers,andmore.Youcanmakethisashared ac vitybyhavingeveryoneinthefamilyconstructadierentroomorevenaseparateco ageinthesame minivillage. S ckRaces.Havingfuntogetherisawonderfulwaytobond,sointroduceyourkidstothesillyfunofs ck races.Beginbyvisi ngariverorstreamwithafootbridgeacrossit.Haveeveryoneselectasmalls ck,take themtotheupstreamsideofthebridge,thendropthes cksintothewateratthecountofthree.Raceto theothersideofthebridgeandwatchtoseewhoses ckemergesrst.Likepebblethrowingfortoddlers, thisisanac vitythatcanconsumeatremendousamountof meanda en onaskidsselecttheirs cks, comeupwithstrategiestomakethemfaster,andcheerthemon.Bereadytolingerandenjoy!
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2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

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NightOwls.Goingonanovernightcampoutisawonderfulwaytobondwithyourfamily.Butevenjust takingyourkidsouta erdarkcanbeanexhilara ngformoftogetherness.Headoutintotheyard,a nearbythicket,orevenjustyourneighborhoodstreets.Kidslovecarryingashlightstolighttheirpaths andhelpspotanimals.A erawhile,chooseoneplacetohunkerdown,lightso.Huddleinclosetogether. Gazeatthestars.Listentothenightnoisesaroundyou.Thenigh meworldhasawayofdrawingpeople extraclose. HoldinguptheFort.Helpyourkidsgatherbranches,tarps,rope,andothermaterialstomaketheirown hideoutsinnature.Maybetheywanttobuildapla orminatree,abirdblindinthewoods,orasecretfort besideanearbyarroyo.Playasmuchorasli leofaroleastheyneedtobuildtheirstructures. Teenagers FieldTrips.Explorenewgroundwithyourteens, followingtheirinterests.Considerbirding,shing, kayakingorcanoeing,orhikingtogether.Doyour childrenexpressdierentinterests?Considerhaving justoneparentandonechildheadouttogetherto encouragenewlinesofconnec onandcommunica on,includingthatsweetsharedsilencethatcanbe animportantpartofparentchilda achment. LendaHand.Anaturerelatedserviceprojectisa greatwaytosupportyourcommunityandbuild familytogetherness.Youcandosomethingassimple aspickinguptrashonyourblockorinoneofyour favoritenaturalareas(allyouneedareglovesandatrashbag).Orjoinagroupworkingonabiggerproject, suchasplan ngtrees,crea ngacitygarden,clearinginvasiveplants,orconstruc ngbirdboxes. PackRats.Theresnothinglikeabackpackingtriptogiveparentsandchildrennewwaystoconnect,andto giveateenagerahealthychallengeformindandbody.Ifyourenewtobackpacking,youandyourteen mightwanttospendextra meselec ngagooddes na onandroute.Youmightevenwanttojoinforces withoneormorefamilies,oranorganiza onliketheSierraClubthatorganizesfamilytripsforyou,to ensurethatyourrsttripgoesassmoothlyaspossible.Thenagain,evenwettentsandresthatfailto lightcancontributetogreatfamilybonds. iGoOutdoors.Ifyourteenagersarewildaboutelectronicdevices,considerndingwaystomakethose devicespartofyourexplora onsinnature.Forexample,wouldyourteensbeinterestedincrea nga por olioofnaturephotography?Orproducinganoutdoorlmwithyou?Maybetheycouldputupposts onFacebookorstartablogdocumen ngsomeofthethingsyourfamilydoesinnature.Allowyourteens tobecometheauthorsandcodirectorsofyouroutdoorexperiences.Whoknows,theymighteveninspire moreteenstocomealongfortheride.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Every meItrytogetmykidstogoforahike,theygroan.ShouldIforcethemoutside? Evenkidswholovespending meoutdoorsmayoccasionallycomplainaboutit.Tryemphasizingplay andadventureinsteadofhiking(i.e.,Whowantstogogoofaroundatacreek?Whosreadyforawild rumpus?!).Conveyyourownenthusiasm,whichisgenerallyinfec ous,insteadofmakingthissound likeachore.Andifyourkidsreallyneedadierentkindofday,honorthattoo.Natureislikegood foodyourjobistoprovidegreatop ons,nottoforceitdown. Iliveinthecity.HowcanIspendregularquality meinnaturewithmykids? Evenurbanareasprovideinnumerableopportuni esfornatureplay.Visitaplaygroundandexplorethe wildermarginsinsteadofthegroomedstructures.Findacommunitygardenoravacantlotinwhichto dig.Doali leresearchandyoumayndreallyamazinggreenplacesjustashortwalkorbustripaway. Ithinkmyfamilyhasvisitedeverygreenplaceinourarea.Nowwhat? Goback!Oneofthebestpartsofspending meinnatureisbecominga unedtothewaysaplace changesdependingonthe meofday,weather,season,orjustyourownluck.Youcanevencreate incen vesformul plevisits;forexample,haveyourkidskeepanaturejournalwithregularentries aboutthesameplace.Orhavethemnameatreea erthemselvesandthengobacktovisitit.Orhide atreasureandgobacktoseeifanyonehasfoundit! Ilovetheideaoftakingmykidsontonaturetrails,butImali leafraid.Whatifsomethinggoeswrong andImstuckouttherebymyself? Considerjoiningorstar ngafamilynatureclubagroupoffamiliesthatorganizesregularou ngs together.Youllfeelsafer,andyouandyourkidswillprobablylovethechancetobondwithpeersas wellaseachother.(Formoreonfamilynatureclubs,seetheResourcessec on.) Imagrandparent.Can meinnaturehelpmebuildgooda achmentswithmygrandchildren? Absolutely.Inmanyfamilies,grandparentsareveryimportanta achmentguresforchildren,adding toachildsdevelopingsenseofsecurityandcondence.Sograndparentswillreapthesamebenetsa parentwillfromge ngoutdoorswiththechildrenintheircare.Whatsmore,manyadultssaythatthe metheyspentinchildhoodoutdoorswithgrandparentsandotherolderrela veswasthemost importantcontributortotheirlifelongconnec ontonature.

Familiesbondtogetherastheyplay,talk,andlearninnature.Theyexperiencenaturewalksasan opportunitytogrowtogether.Whentheydiscoveranewbugorwildower,theyexperienceasenseof wonderandmakememoriestogetheronthetrail.

LaurelDodge,cofounder,NatureStrollersfamilynatureclub
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2012, 2011 Children & Nature Network | www.childrenandnature.org

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RESOURCES
BackgroundReading Readindepthaccountsofthebenetsofconnec ngkidstonatureinRichardLouvsLastChildintheWoods: SavingOurChildrenfromNatureDecitDisorder(AlgonquinBooks,2005).Formoreonthebenetsofnature foradultsandfamilies,readRichardLouvsTheNaturePrinciple(AlgonquinBooks,2011). Readmoreaboutthelatestresearchontheconnec onsbetween meinnatureandchildrenshealthin C&NNsannotatedbibliography,HealthBenetstoChildrenfromContactwithTheOutdoors&Nature, availableath p://www.childrenandnature.org/research/. Findresourcesforpediatriciansonthebenetstochildrenof meinnatureinGrowOutsideath p:// www.childrenandnature.org/pediatricians/. Foradeeperunderstandingofa achment,readDr.MarthaFarrellEricksonsreaderfriendlyandshort frequentlyaskedques onsandanswersontheC&NNwebsiteath p://www.childrenandnature.org/ downloads/A achmentFAQME.pdfandBecomingA ached:FirstRela onshipsandHowTheyShapeOurCa pacitytoLovebyRobertKaren(OxfordUniversityPress,1998). Learnmoreaboutparentchilda achmentandotherrelatedchilddevelopmenttopicsinweeklyparen ng shows,hostedbyDr.Mar EricksonandherdaughterErin,andprintedresourcesavailablefreeofchargeat www.MomEnough.com.

ACTIVITIES
Findoutmoreaboutfamilynatureclubs,includingalis ngofexis nggroupsaroundtheworldandatoolkit forstar ngyourownnatureclub,ath p://www.childrenandnature.org/movement/naturalfamilies/clubs. Getmoreideasforspending meinnaturewithyourfamily,andlocategreatnearbynature,byvisi ngNa tureRocksath p://www.childrenandnature.org/ movement/naturerocks/. Findac vi esandstoriesthatareidealforfamily mein natureinWhereNatureMeetsStoryath p:// www.childrenandnature.org/naturestory/. CheckouttheSierraClubsannuallis ngoffamilywilder nesstrips,includingbasecampop ons,ath p:// www.sierraclub.org/ou ngs/.

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thisguidewasprincipallywri enbySaraSt.Antoinewithaddi onalcontribu onsfromCherylCharles,Ph.D., andRichardLouv.Por onsoftheguidewereadaptedandexpandedfromSharedNatureExperienceasa PathwaytoStrongFamilyBondsbyMarthaFarrellErickson,Ph.D.(C&NNLeadershipWri ngSeriesVol.1, No.1)withpermissionfromtheauthor.TheChildren&NatureNetworkgratefullyacknowledgesfundingfrom TheFrederickH.LeonhardtFounda oninsupportofthedevelopmentofthispublica on.

AbouttheChildren&NatureNetwork
TheChildren&NatureNetwork(C&NN)isleadingamovementtoconnectallchildren,theirfamiliesand communi estonaturethroughinnova veideas,evidencebasedresourcesandtools,broadbased collabora onandsupportofgrassrootsleadership.C&NNistheonlyorganiza onfocusedsolelyonbuildinga na onalandinterna onalmovementthatreconnectschildrenwithnaturetoop mizetheirhealthy developmentcogni vely,emo onally,sociallyandphysically.C&NNbuildsawareness,providesaccessto stateoftheartresources,supportsthegrassrootswithtoolsandstrategies,developspublica onsand educa onalmaterials,synthesizesthebestavailableresearch,andencouragescollabora ontohealthe brokenbondbetweenchildrenandnature.C&NNisa501c3nonprotorganiza on.Foraddi onal informa on,visitwww.childrenandnature.organdcontactusatinfo@childrenandnature.org.

C&NNBoardofDirectorsandExOcioMembers
BoardMembers:

MarthaFarrellErickson,PhD,Chair HowardFrumkin,MD,DrPH,ViceChair FranP.Mainella,Treasurer BetsyTownsend,Secretary BrotherYusufBurgess,MemberatLarge MohammedLawal,MemberatLarge

ExOcioMembers:

CherylCharles,PhD,President&CEO RichardLouv,ChairmanEmeritus Mar nLeBlanc,VicePresidentEmeritus AmyPertschuk,Director,NetworkCommunica ons

Together in Nature: Pathways to a Stronger, Closer Family

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