A breath of fresh air: City of Grand Rapids aims to reconnect children with nature

A breath of fresh air: City of Grand Rapids aims to reconnect children with nature

The full article can be read through the hyperlink above

An annual event hosted by the mayor's youth council, KidsSpeak brings together local children to focus on a particular issue, ultimately creating written testimonies that are presented to the community....... Some nervous and some polished, these student presenters bravely expressed their thoughts about the city's natural areas, saying, "green spaces are not something you can brush aside" and "losing [green things] in the city means losing our compassion for the world around us, and ultimately, each other." Many expressed regret over the loss of their connection to nature and time spent in parks and playgrounds. "We don't play outside anymore," said one presenter. "We are disregarding natural spaces more and more."

One younger student expressed her views clearly and with conviction. "No playgrounds? Don't ever say no playgrounds to me," she said. "How would the city look like if there were no trees, flowers or wildlife?…It would look dark and gloomy." ..... "My hope for this city is that we not only maintain our parks, but proliferate them. Through that we can allow more children to have experiences of joy and compassion…If we understand the world around us. We can understand each other better,"

Vancouver-area children take learning to the forest | Metro News

Vancouver-area children take learning to the forest | Metro News

The full article can be read through the hyperlink above

"Learning outdoors helps children understand their "ability to navigate risks" and increases their physical capacity, said Edgar. It helps them "feel strong and powerful and offers them a positive social environment." Outdoor learning has also been associated with improved concentration and cognitive development.

Forest schools differ from more traditional outdoor education in that they offer repeated access to a natural space, centred around child-led, play-based learning, "observing the child's interests, documenting them, and then introducing items that foster interest," Edgar said."

How to Raise an Environmentalist by Jill Suttie — YES! Magazine

How to Raise an Environmentalist by Jill Suttie — YES! Magazine

The full article can be read through the hyperlink above

But how do we encourage people—especially our kids—to care more and take action? Scientists are starting to uncover how to encourage that compassionate concern in children......... Research indicates that motivating people to care takes more than just reciting facts and making doomsday predictions. Instead, it requires promoting compassionate concern for our natural world, which comes from early contact with nature, empathy for our fellow creatures, and a sense of wonder and fascination. Specifically, scientists are starting to uncover how to encourage that compassionate concern in children, so that it will translate into pro-environmental behavior down the road—and this research comes not a moment too soon.