Lying beneath the shade of a tree, feeling the texture of bark, listening to waves… share some quality time in nature during the first year of your baby’s life with our ‘25 Things to do with children in nature before they turn 1’.
Year Level: Early Years
This article explains why getting dirty in the garden can be even more beneficial for mental health than previously thought. Antidepressant microbes in soil may increase production of serotonin, a stress reducing hormone in humans. The Mycobacterium vaccae bacterium was tested both by injection and ingestion on rats, and the results were increased cognitive ability, lower stress and better concentration on tasks than a control group. Includes links to original research.
This report from the National Wildlife Federation reveals how getting down and dirty in the great outdoors — far from being a bad thing — has many benefits. Mud play builds children’s immune systems, strengthens their cardiovascular system, assists skin with healing, improves mood, facilitates learning and decreases anxiety. It also explains why children who do not spend time outside run the risk of developing serious health issues like obesity, myopia and vitamin D deficiency.
Nature Play Canberra is about getting more children outdoors more often so they can reap the benefits of unstructured playing, learning and being physically active. Includes resources for schools, families and research links.
Nature Play QLD is a collaborative organisation, working with partner groups to encourage the Queensland community to value nature play and support families to prioritise it in children’s lives. They are advocates of the nature play message and aim to increase access to nature play resources, events and programs for Queenslanders.
This blog offers support, connection and guidance to help get families outside with their baby as soon as they feel ready. Geared to parents with children from birth to school age with the aim of raising a new generation of children to love the outdoors. Highly commended blog which started in July of 2013, when Founder Shanti Hodges asked her new born parent group to meet up in a park. In the first months these were casual hikes among friends. As the number of families participating grew, it became apparent that the desire to get outside was much more than Shanti expected. Through the help of an ever-increasing group of volunteers, Hike it Baby grew from a small parent group to a large community of families. In 2016 Hike it Baby filed for non-profit status.