The Green Parent

This is a guest post from Frequent Television Contributor Terra Wellington who is the author of The Mom’s Guide to Growing Your Family Green: Saving the Earth Begins at Home.

One of summertime’s greatest challenges is to get your child interested in something that doesn’t have a screen. Recently, a new study by Iowa State University and the National Institute on Media and the Family stated that 8.5 percent of children ages 8 to 18 may be addicted to video games.

With a strong link between screen time and obesity, as well as a lack of exposure to nature throughout the school year, summer is the perfect opportunity to reintroduce your children to nature as an alternate entertainment option that is necessary in terms of not only their health but also their development.

Studies show that children concentrate better, are better behaved, have improved health, and obtain a deeper appreciation for nature when they are exposed to greenscape and wildlife on a regular basis. And the Environmental Protection Agency has just released a study that shows there is tremendous short and long-term benefit to future generations through environmental education. 

Okay, this all sounds great, but how do you get wired, highly stimulated kids interested in nature? 

One of the ways that I have found success in getting my children interested in their outdoor world is by taking them to a zoo or aquarium.  It is an easy and fun way to diversify entertainment options, while also offering a painless way to subtly educate on taking care of our natural world and get your child up off the couch.

Here are my quick tips on how you can get your busy family to unplug and enjoy nature -

○   Talk it up.  One of the ways you can get your child interested in nature is to think in terms of captivating headlines.  Children like to see new things, so talk about the really cool new thing your child will see in nature.  It’s easiest if you’re talking about an outing to a zoo, an aquarium, the beach, a nature center, or a botanical garden.  It could be a new monkey exhibit that you’re checking out, a special butterfly event at the botanical garden, or the just-added shark at the aquarium. 

○   Seek out touching opportunities.  Again, nature centers are perfect for this.  Children are captivated and stimulated by being able to use their senses.  Oftentimes there are “exploring” stations run by volunteers at zoos and aquariums where your children can touch, hold, and smell wildlife and other natural objects.  Parents can also get into the action alongside their children as a relationship-building tool, which gives a fun, shared experience that can be reminisced about later.

○   Add challenge or risk for older kids.  This is another way to keep children charged up about nature.  For example, many zoos and aquariums run camps for kids that offer unique adventures.  Older teens need more challenge that is often offered through adult-oriented programs, like a special sea kayaking excursion, conservation trips with adult mentors, volunteer experiences, or be a zookeeper for a day.