Parenting Pointers: Connecting Kids and the Outdoors

National Wildlife Federation's Collin O'Mara was at the recent TEDxNashville event talking about the importance of connecting kids with wildlife and the outdoors — and why it matters for their health and well being. Collin's TED Talk is worth watching in full when you have ~15 minutes, but here is his conclusion:

• Engrossing kids in nature may be the single greatest thing you can do for both the kids and for wildlife. It’s like the famous quote from Baba Dioum said, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” Or as the Lorax, paraphrased “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better. It’s not. “
• Stronger, healthier, happier kids and abundant, awe-inspiring wildlife that’s what I want for my daughters and every child in America. Who knew that the first step could be as simple as stepping outdoors?
• When we save wildlife, we save ourselves.

I had a chance to interview Kevin Coyle, Vice President of Education and Training at the National Wildlife Federation to learn more.

Why is it so beneficial to get kids outdoors?

There are a proven set of physical and mental health benefits ranging from stronger bodies and better eyesight to better ability to handle stress.  Studies show that kids are more active and fit with regular outdoor time. Outdoor time also helps kids do better in school. They have more ability to concentrate on key subjects such as science, technology, math, reading and the arts. And their overall moods improve and they feel better about themselves. Outdoor time helps them grow up more confident and self-reliant.

Increased confidence from outdoor activity means leadership abilities increase. Experiencing and learning about nature teaches kids to react quickly to real problems, see opportunities and create innovative solutions.

What are some ways that families can start to enjoy outdoor pursuits if they are just beginning to get outside?

Families can get kids outdoors in a variety of ways, ranging from spending time at local parks to gardening at home to going camping, fishing or off the beaten path. Children love to be outdoors and they love having more direct and active time with parents and caregivers. Parents and caregivers should try to replace one-hour of screen-time a day with green-time when possible — we call it a Green Hour.

We also think that outdoor time helps build a child’s sense of wonder in and instills more willingness to share responsibility for helping care for America’s wildlife.

How can families encourage kids to get involved in conservation efforts?

In the long run, it is important that our children learn speak for wildlife at an early age. Recent evidence shows that kids learning about wildlife and nature are more empathetic and have more overall compassion.

Affection and caring for nature grows from a combination of experiences such as more regular time outdoors, planting trees and gardens, and observing birds, fish, and land animals in their native settings. 

Parents should also talk to their children about ecology and the important role wildlife, clean air and water, our public lands, and the outdoors play in their lives and in shaping our communities. Making these connections is critical to helping children learn about how what happens at city hall, the state capitol and in Washington, D.C., affects wildlife and nature in their own backyards.

We have seen firsthand how this can have an effect on our leaders. Right now young people across the country encouraging Congress to pass the bipartisan Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. It’s a game changer of a solution that accelerate proactive, collaborative restoration efforts for thousands of species in every corner of the country.