Five ways to bring your children closer to nature?

As we live in literal jungles of concrete in most of our urban cities and townships children today end up having limited opportunities of engaging with nature or spending time in environments that are not man made. The sight of common birds is no longer common as telephone and internet cables destroy their existence, even the opportunity to taste seasonal fruits and veggies seems limited as we find everything around the year in our supermarkets thanks to inorganic farming and cold storage based markets. Drenching oneself in the first rain of the season or soaking up the sun on a winter morning or even lying under the sky to watch the symphony of boundless stars on a summer night have all become leisures of the past.Children now spend most of their time in closed apartments where  a few indoor plants, a pet dog or the goldfish in a fancy aquarium are all that one gets access to in the name of nature. Even our playgrounds and parks have shrunk and playing for the sake of playing is an idea of the past as cricket, tennis and football academies charge exorbitant fees in the name of producing ‘professionals.’ School trips to the zoo or summer vacations in the mountains provide some but only temporary respite as children stay away from natural ecosystems for much of the year. Let us look at five ways in which children can be brought closer to nature and can form an unforgettable bond.

Whenever time allows or rather let’s learn to find time to take a long walk in the laps of nature as often as we probably can. This could include exploring a nearby forest, a local riverside, a hilly area or the beach. If these are far away, then parents can locate rural farms where a variety of agricultural practices have allowed for some sort of natural preservation. Let kids play in the soil, touch the water, bask in the sun and run barefoot on the grass under the abundant sky.

Yes, the balcony or the small backyard of the house is a source of great respite where your kids can learn to grow plants from seeds, water the greens and even shift the pots to suit seasonal sunlight needs.This will also help them learn about the life cycle of plants and how suitable water and sunlight can play an important role in tending to plants.

Whenever you and your kids have the time, please find time to go for  trips to the mountains, the riverside or the beach. You could also choose forest trails where they will experience rich natural life. Doing outdoor activities like going on a trek, enjoying the sunset while boating, sitting quietly by a flowing river or simply lying down under the open sky are all activities that children of all ages will enjoy.

Encouraging environmental awareness is really important from a young age. This will help children associate with environmental issues, feel passionately about challenges and become proactive citizens. They shall be motivated to save, recycle and upcycle items. Learning about sustainability is important here.

There are animals all around us including birds, stray dogs, stray cats, cows etc that we find all around. Let our children feel a sense of compassion towards animals that are not just their own pets. Giving them water, arranging for food, providing basic first aid are all important in developing children’s sense of love and empathy.