Children and Nature Page 1

Agenda

Page #

Course Agenda
How Lifestyle Affects Children and Nature
Children and Nature Now
Reflect on Children and Nature (1/6)
The Children & Nature Movement
Children & Nature Movement Reflection (2/6)
Kids and Outdoor Play: Tips for Parents
Kids and Outdoor Play (3/6)
What is Nature Deficit?
Nature Deficit (4/6)
Possible Health Effects
Outdoor Environments
Nature in the Classroom
Classroom Environment
The Outdoor Classroom
Natural Playscape
Discussion: Outside in Cool Weather (5/6)
End of Course Quiz (6/6)
Course Evaluation Form

Course Description

2 Clock Hours
New research actually shows that nature is essential for the brain. Even fleeting exposures to natural settings outside the windows can improve brain performance. One study demonstrates that just looking at a natural scene can improve scores on tests of attention and memory. Nature also has a calming effect on the brain. It can catch our attention without overloading our brain. Allowing children the time to nurture a connection with nature, we are granting them the freedom to develop intrinsic motivation - the ability to recognize what it is they want and to develop the desire and focus to achieve their goals. The experience of children and nature has to be part of daily life--the opportunity not only for playing in green space, but also the opportunity for being alone, having the chance to daydream, to wonder, to just be there.

Learning Outcomes

Understand the growing concern regarding children’s lack of engagement with nature and the possible fear of nature by family members.
Identify the negative health consequences that can result from the lack of children's contact with nature.
Identify the physical, social, and psychological impacts of nature on child development.
Gain an understanding of the importance of nature play to the healthy development of the young child.
Become knowledgeable about and gain skills in developing and facilitating nature play experiences.
Identify ways to create a nature play environment indoors and outdoors to support the need for children to connect with the natural world.

Page 1

Move through the course by clicking on the NEXT PAGE button on the bottom right corner of the page.

Enrollment

If you have not previously purchased this course, you may do so now.

Registration Fee: $19.00

Important Student Information

Course Acknowledgments

A special thank you to Debra Hasbrook, M.Ed., for developing the curriculum for this topic.

Course Resource Items

CDA Criteria for this Course

CDA Settings:

Infant/Toddler
Preschool
Family Child Care (Mixed-Age)

CDA Content Area: Observing and Recording Children's Behavior (2 hours)

Technical Requirements:

Laptop or PC
Most students are able to use mobile devices such as tablets to complete courses. However, each device is different, and an individual's skill level with the device may determine their success with using a mobile device.
Recommended web browser: Google Chrome

- Microsoft Edge, Safari and Firefox are other acceptable browsers.
- Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft, and you may have issues if you use it to take training.

Operating System

- Make sure you’re using a current operating system (for example, Windows 10).
- Outdated operating systems may cause technical difficulties.

Internet Speed

- Slow internet speed may impact loading time.

Videos may require Adobe Flash Player.

Sources

The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bond: Focus on Children in Poverty, Regina M. Milteer, MD, Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MS Ed, and Council on Communications and Media on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, Deborah Ann Mulligan, MD, Published online December 26, 2011 Pediatrics Vol. 129 No. 1 January 1, 2012, pp. e204 -e213, (doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-2953)
American Academy of Pediatrics, Standard 3.1.3.2 Playing Outdoors, January 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness. 2007. Policy statement: Climatic heat stress and the exercising child and adolescent. Pediatrics 120:683-84.
Hagan, J. F., J. S. Shaw, P. M. Duncan, eds. 2008. Promoting physical activity. In Bright futures: Guidelines for health supervision of infants, children, and adolescents, 147-54. 3rd ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
Mayo Clinic. 2009. Hypothermia: Symptoms. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothermia/DS00333/.
Kids Health. 2008. Frostbite. Nemours. http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/emergencies/frostbite.html
A Newsletter by InformeDesign. A Web site for design and human behavior research. www.informedesign.org , Outdoor Environments for Children with Autism and Special
Needs Related Research Summaries, VOL. 09 ISSUE 01, Outdoor Environments for Children with Autism and Special Needs, Naomi Sachs, ASLA and Tara Vincenta, ASLA
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder Paperback – April 22, 2008, by Richard Louv
Sharing Nature with Children, 20th Anniversary Edition Paperback, by Joseph Cornell (Author)
I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature, by Jennifer Ward (Author), Susie Ghahremani (Illustrator) , Richard Louv (Foreword)
The Nature Principle: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age Paperback, by Richard Louv (Author)
Your Brain On Nature: The Science of Nature's Influence on Your Health, Happiness and Vitality Paperback, by Eva M. Selhub MD (Author) , Alan C. Logan ND (Author)
Earth in Mind: On Education, Environment, and the Human Prospect [Deluxe Edition] David W. Orr (Author)