As parents, we often find ourselves reminiscing about the good old days. Days that have stayed with us for a long time because of how they made us feel—freer, happier, or even just more present. More often than not, most of the core memories that we have, were made outdoors—splashing in puddles, making endless tunnels in the sand, having quiet chats tucked away in the branches of neighbourhood trees, lying in the grass watching clouds, or sleeping on rooftops counting stars.
While these memories were barrels of fun, they did a lot more for us. These formative experiences made us smarter, healthier, more creative, and more confident. They helped us form deep connections with the outdoors and with those that we shared these experiences with, enhancing our sense of self. The rich tapestry of sights, sounds, smells, and physical sensations we encountered outdoors created stronger neural connections, making these memories more vivid and lasting.
Nature’s playground is limitless. It provides endless opportunities for free play, ample fodder for creativity and imagination to flourish, and challenges one’s physical abilities while inducing multi-age cooperation, collaborations and expert-level communication skills. Dr. Maria Montessori rightly said that immersion in nature helps in the growth of the whole child by supporting physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Remember the thrill of crossing a log over a stream? The simple (rather daunting in the moment !) act not only tested our gross motor skills but demanded a level of coordination, confidence and ability to take risks. There were slips and splashes, tears and giggles, but the determination to try again and the exhilaration of finally getting it right were unmatched. There was really no stopping after that. That log was crossed over and over again. The rigour and joy of each crossing took us to a different level of expertise and with each time we grew in more ways than one. Renowned educational reformer, John Dewey suggested that our experiences and encounters mould us into the people we are, and nature offers many opportunities for us to explore our strengths and limitations to have a better understanding of our potential.
Do our children get to experience this magic as we did? Do we experience it anymore? While reminiscing can be fun, what is stopping us from making more memories? Nature has something for everyone. You never know what you might find today. As for the children in our lives, getting them outdoors is probably one of the best gifts we could give them. Think back, in your treasure chest of fond memories made with those you love – many were made outdoors amidst nature. Help your children make their memories today.
Pilkhan has some ideas to get you started. Our thoughtfully curated nature boxes are designed to help young and curious souls discover the magic of nature. Also, subscribe to our blog for inspiring reads, resources and creative ways to get the family outdoors to make some wonderful memories together.
#GrowOutsideTheBox