Nature Connections in Cities

07/05/2006

I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive.
Eleanor Roosevelt

In her Parenting Exchange article, “Nature Connections for Kids in Cities and Suburbs,” Karen Stephens observes…

“Adults with strong attachment to nature inevitably say their bonds first took root during childhood. The connection didn’t spring from sitting inside reading nature books, watching nature shows, or viewing nature web sites. Research says an emotional connection to nature grows when children have regular opportunities to leisurely explore the natural outdoor world through hands-on, unstructured play. Enjoying the outdoors to their hearts’ content is how children learn to love nature. Makes sense to me!

“And here’s the really encouraging news. Adults with strong bonds to nature say their childhood connections took place within the boundaries of a few neighborhood blocks. So it turns out that parents don’t have to live in the country or a forest preserve to raise ‘green’ kids! Adventures and investigations children pursue in empty, overgrown field lots, yards, apartment balconies, community vegetable gardens, cozy city parks, and lakeside beaches seed a lifelong love of nature.”

You can view Stephen’s entire article PDF - CLICK HERE.

You can also more deeply explore nature education by attending our Working Forum on Nature Education for Young Children. To check out this landmark event - CLICK HERE

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