native garden in backyard
Our yards can be wonderlands of discovery for kids. They can be a world of natural beauty too. So often though, the landscape around our houses is void of life and is setup to fight against learning and play. The great thing is that it doesn’t have to be that way. We have real opportunities to introduce our kids to nature right outside of our front doors.
Last night, I went to a screening of NaturePlay, a film about forest schools in Scandinavia. It documented how kids in these schools are encourages to play and learn outdoors in all weather. It shows kids running around in the rain and mud, climbing up boulders and jumping of sheds. Even winter is a time for outdoor fun even when it is cold and icy. The curriculum is shaped by how children learn from nature while being out in nature. The philosophy is so embedded in the public education that they design and create landscapes that challenge, encourage and immerse kids into a world of playing and nature.
I was inspired watching the film. Other parents at the screening also expressed a real desire to have their kids be part of such an enriching and vibrant educational system. The Nordic schools are a strong contrast to American schools that focus almost exclusively on testing with little time outdoors running and enjoying the seasons.
sticks + leaves + time = outdoor play
After the film, everyone at the screening spent time together discussing the subject matter. The conversation centered around how could local public schools embrace the approach to getting kids outside more. I didn’t actually know until then that my son, who is in kindergarten, only has around 30 minutes of recess a day. I love the idea of transforming the public education system where standardized testing is superseded by learning from the natural world. Creativity, art, science, math and language are teeming around every corner in the natural world.
Backyard Native Plant Garden
It will take time to make that happen, and until then, we have a huge responsibility as parents to get our kids outdoors too. Our yards are a fertile place for teaching our kids about the nature world. We can design spaces that enhance that opportunity. From using edibles and native plants in our yards to attracting pollinators and hummingbirds to making the rainwater that runs off our roofs into a splash pools and rain gardens, there is no limit to what can be accomplished right outside in our yards. Our lawns and backyards are a little slice of heaven is waiting to be experienced.
Investigating the Built World
The opportunity doesn’t stop with plants either. The way we design and build patios, decks and raised gardening beds can be as much an extension of play as the best toys we can buy. The expense of renovating our homes and yards can be used to ignite the wonder and creativity of our kids while also being places for social gathers for adults. Even the annoying things we call “weeds” can be educational as well as edible. Most weeds can be eaten.
Kids are always ready to learn and play and our yards are just waiting to be the classroom.
More about Kids and Landscapes
Designing Nature around Kids
Outdoor Classroom at South Mountain Annex
Rage Against the White Lawn Flags
What Rain Gardens Can Do
Kids are always ready to learn and play and our yards are just waiting to be the classroom.
More about Kids and Landscapes
Designing Nature around Kids
Outdoor Classroom at South Mountain Annex
Rage Against the White Lawn Flags
What Rain Gardens Can Do
RSS Feed