Why offer our children Nature as a play and learning environment ?

Nature supports the development of a wide range of skills (social, emotional, technical, scientific, linguistic, mathematical, artistic, and physical) while also contributing to shape each child’s personality.
Research in neurobiology and cognitive science shows that multi-sensory learning strengthens memory, and that a stimulating, enjoyable environment plays a key role in how children learn. Time spent in nature also lays the foundation for a more sustainable way of life.

Learning with Wonder and Joy

Nature offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. It nurtures children’s innate curiosity and sparks their creativity and imagination. As an ever-present source of inspiration, nature provides a richness of experiences that keeps their sense of wonder alive, nurturing the enthusiasm and motivation essential to deep, meaningful learning.

Soothing and Engaging Sensory Stimulation

The colors, textures, scents, and sounds of nature gently awaken the senses. These discoveries unfold at each child’s own rhythm, making every moment in nature rich and engaging. Exposure to natural light (a source of vitamin D) and fresh air (which supports oxygenation) helps soothe the nervous system, release tension, and reduce stress, fostering greater focus, calm, and presence.

Freedom of Movement

Outdoor learning provides children with ample space to move freely, interact with their environment and connect with their peers. Opportunities for physical activity abound—running, jumping, throwing, balancing… This freedom of movement supports their natural physiological needs and helps regulate their energy levels, contributing to better emotional and physical balance.

Connection to Nature

Outdoor experiences nurture a deep, lasting bond with the natural world and help children make sense of the environment around them. As they learn to observe, understand, and appreciate their surroundings, they develop a genuine awareness of and respect for nature. Learning in nature lays the groundwork for responsible citizenship—encouraging thoughtful, caring behavior toward all living beings and a commitment to protecting ecosystems.

Deeper and richer interactions with nature are what will help us diminish the effect of what Peter Kahn, director of the Human Interaction with Nature and Technological Systems (HINTS) Lab at the University of Washington, called the Environmental Generational Amnesia.

If we just try to teach people the importance of nature, that’s not going to work. They have to interact with it. — Peter Kahn

Think, for a moment, about the last time you were out in nature. Were you in a city park? At a campground? On the beach? In the mountains?

Now consider: What was this place like in your parents' time? Your grandparents'? In many cases, the parks, beaches and campgrounds of today are surrounded by more development, or are themselves more developed, than they were decades ago. But to you, they still feel like nature.

That's what Peter Kahn calls "environmental generational amnesia" -- the idea that each generation perceives the environment into which it's born, no matter how developed, urbanized or polluted, as the norm. And so what each generation comes to think of as "nature" is relative, based on what it's exposed to.

Scientists have been warning us about the environmental crisis for decades; its impact is worsening all over the world and yet, mobilization remains minimal. Why don't we act in accordance with the severity of the problem?

Because of Environmental Generational Amnesia, we keep adjusting our baseline of what “normal” is. Therefore we could never fully recognize the benefits that we have been losing.

Encountering the environment in ways that result in positive feelings can begin to reverse environmental generational amnesia. Let's help our children to build strong links with nature, to question it and get to know it, so that they understand its importance.

Let's make sure that our future generations will be keen to conserve nature.

(Source: https://www.washington.edu/news/2017/11/15/what-counts-as-nature-it-all-depends)

Learn French through Nature exploration

Why offer our children Nature as a play and learning environment ?