Green Times for Kids

“Kids today are occupied with swanky gadgets, but spending time with nature plays a significant role in shaping them”

Is your child spending more time in front of electronic screens than in a natural environment? A study by Public Health England has found that children who spent more than four hours a day watching a screen were quite likely to have a number of anxiety problems.

I am sure you will agree that a toddler chasing butterflies with the hope of catching one is a more pleasant sight than watching little fingers manipulates a joystick to get a smooth hairpin-turn on a gaming console. Research shows that children who are more exposed to nature do well in school since they have better attention spans, good observation skills and much lower stress levels.

WALK AND WATCH

Your nature trip with kids does not have to be an ambitious one or planned much in advance. The neighbourhood park is the best place to begin your child’s green journey; it can provide the much needed daily dose of greenery.

Let your child find a small patch of soil to dig up with a toy spade. Watch his eyes light up as he rubs his palm against the mud, stones and grass, and gets sown to some serious work. Help him spot sanils, earthworms, lady birds and various bugs crawling by, and see him get mesmerized by their colour, size and gait. Seeing a praying squirrel a nagging crow or a shy mongoose can help your child get familiar with the animal stories he has been reading. Watching an ant hillbeing made makes for interesting viewing, but the challenge lies in keeping those little feet away from stomping it down!  I can recall how earlier the use of a magnifying glass to burn ants was considered a lesson in science, but now we also need to teach our kids to respect every life.  Exploring nature in groups is popular among children, and very often parents also join them. Ramit Mitra, Founder, Delhi by Foot. Organizes nature walks for children, covering various green spots in and around Delhi. He says, “Children learn best from ‘experiential learning.’ What they read and are taught in schools translates into experiencing it in real life, which then turns into a permanent imprint on their impressionable minds. A walk amidst verdant greens means initiating kids to the ever-increasing importance of conversing our forests and the natural habitats of animals and birds. During our walks, naturalists and bird specialists help Children to understand various natural habitats, identify bird calls, recognize varieties of trees and appreciate the bio-degradation of wastes.”

BIRD WATCHING

Indulging in bird watching is another enriching experience for a child of any age. This can be done at a bird sanctuary, a park, and for the really time-crunched parent, the humble balcony can also give a good view! Encouraging your child to identify birds, sometimes just by their second, can help him bond with these winged beauties. Peeping into a bird’s nest is ‘highly unethical’, but if it is at a visible distance, let your child have a glimpse of the eggs or fledglings – it’ll calm a curious mind. You can hang a bird feeder outside your house as it would ensure a regular stream of feathered visitors, and will give your child some quit time with nature. Sometimes you may see scores of pigeons and doves flock together at road roundabouts and near historical places. Feeding these birds can be fun for children.

While with nature, should children take picture or not? Ideally it is best to stay clear of taking pictures since one tends to go overboard clicking everything in sight, and the beauty of the moment gets lost while the child is busy looking through a lens.

GREEN TIME

According to Ajay Mahajan, environment educator, Kalpavriksh and Vividhara, “When children are exposed to nature they follow a natural learning process, and do not need any structured instructions. I believe that children who spend time with nature experience a sense of peace and tranquility. When kids connect well with their natural surroundings, their chances of feeling alienated are reduces and they find solace in nature during difficult times.”

Reducing the time spent by children with electronic media is an uphill task that most parents face. You will notice that when adults become enthusiastic about any activity, their children follow, Parents and educators must therefore set an example of kids and help them build a relationship with nature.

When author Mariam Karim – Ahlawat holds workshops for kids. She talks to them about animals and trees so that they may live in the world around them, and not just interact with technology. She says, “Kids can learn so much from nature since it is soothing, friendly, accepting; and gives joy, peace and harmony. We must respect and preserve our natural surroundings.”

They simple joy of running around the park crunching dry leaves underfoot and smelling different flowers is something every child would enjoy. So the next time your child wants to go to mall. Try suggesting a walk in the park!

This article written by Jacquiline Robets Singh behalf of Spice Route Magazine and posted by MakeYouTravel.com, which provides the International Tours and Domestic Tours Packages.