As a child therapist, I know our children are more anxious than ever. New research by children’s book publisher Collins has found that over 45% of parents believe their kids are currently feeling anxious, and there is no doubt the recent (and ongoing) pandemic has affected both their confidence and their mood.
As World Mental Health Day comes around, and we go into the darker, damper months, it’s important to be mindful of our children’s wellbeing and check in with them daily about how they are feeling, making sure we give them space and attention to properly tell us.
A walk together in nature can provide the ideal opportunity for such a talk - and of course being outside brings many other mental health benefits too.
The winter blues affect children as well as adults, and there is a plethora of research that links lack of daylight to low mood. As autumn settles in and winter looms, our children’s daylight exposure decreases, and their moods can slump as a result. Getting them outside is a simple and accessible way to boost their wellbeing.
Kids need daylight and exercise more than ever after days cooped up in the classroom and the tensions going back to school inevitably bring. Both movement and light contribute to the production of serotonin in the brain, which is a great mood booster.
The vitamin D produced by sunlight also helps build kids immunity, so their physical health gets a boost from being outside too.
Walking by the seashore or ‘forest bathing’ (spending time around green space) are well established ways to help people feel calmer, and they also bring great joy. A dose of nature is a simple way we can help children’s mental health (and our own).
In a study of 300 primary school children, researchers found that children with strong feelings of connectedness to nature reported higher levels of happiness.
We know for sure that in a variety of ways our children’s mental health benefits through nature- based play and activities. But how do we get kids to want to be outside when the lure of screen time and staying cosy indoors is strong?
My new book, A Year of Nature Craft and Play, that I co-wrote with gardening expert Catherine Hughes, share some ideas about encouraging them to get outside.
Conkers
Conkers are so much fun to hunt for, make cute animals out of, create wreaths from and spar with. Seeking them out is an adventure in itself.
Pine cones
These can be turned into cows just by adding little legs. Kids can place them in water to see what happens to them. They could paint them green and add teeny pom poms to make the best little Christmas decorations.
Feathers
Feathers can be attached to sticks to make natural paint brushes or painted in bright colours and strung from a branch to make feather mobiles.
Leaves
Gloriously coloured autumn leaves could be glued to a jam jar to make a lantern. Or perhaps you might want to dip leaves in paint and use them for printing. You could even glue lots of leaves to the underside of a balloon and pop it when they are dry to make an awesome bowl.
Nature provides the very best material for craft and play and hunting for treasures in nature is a brilliant excuse to get your kids outside. Crafting is focused relaxation that leaves little time for worries and allows your children’s minds to rest as they lose themselves in mindful creativity. There are so many mental health benefits to nature craft and play and it is free, accessible, eco-friendly and gorgeous. It is a wonderful thing to introduce to your children, and it’s readily available right outside your door.