Children who spend significant time outdoors could have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose than those who don’t, according to new Michigan State University research linking children’s experiences in nature with how they define spirituality.
In the study, published recently in the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, children who played outside five to 10 hours per week said they felt a spiritual connection with the earth, and felt their role is to protect it.
“These values are incredibly important to human development and well-being,” said Gretel Van Wieren, assistant professor of religious studies. “We were surprised by the results. Before we did the study, we asked, ‘Is it just a myth that children have this deep connection with nature?’ But we found it to be true in pretty profound ways.”
For example, the children in her study expressed feelings of peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world around them. They also reported feeling awestruck and humbled by nature’s power, such as storms, while also feeling happy and a sense of belonging in the world.
The study also measured children’s aesthetic values, finding that those who engage in free play outside on a regular basis have a deep appreciation for beauty (i.e., balance, symmetry and color), order and wonder (i.e., curiosity, imagination and creativity). For example: lush green bushes, pattern-like blue spots in water and fascination with bees’ nests.
Van Wieren and co-researcher Stephen Kellert, from Yale University, used a mix of research methods, including in-depth interviews, drawings, diaries and observation, as well as conversations with parents. Seven of the 10 children in the study – who were 7 to 8 years old – were from families with a Christian background.
The researchers also found parents of the children who expressed the highest affinity toward nature and the strongest spirituality spent significant time outdoors during their childhoods. And many of the parents believed such experiences shaped their adult lives and spirituality.
So what is it about nature?
It offers a diverse display of colors, sights and sounds; uncertainty; multisensory qualities; and above all, aliveness, Van Wieren said. Nature is usually in a state of flux, which fosters problem-solving opportunities that build self-confidence.
But we could be in trouble if kids continue their technology habits, she said.
“This is the first generation that’s significantly plugged in to a different extent and so what does this mean?” Van Wieren said. “Modern life has created a distance between humans and nature that now we’re realizing isn’t good in a whole host of ways. So it’s a scary question: How will this affect our children and how are we going to respond?”
No, no I disagree, I think it all depends on the surround environment around the kid,like family background,religion ,finances, crime,sports facilities and picnic parks, etc.
This is an interesting observation. And it very well makes sense. Spending time outside is indeed a great way to get in-touch with nature. We observe other living organisms and realise the intricacies of their existence, how wonderfully they’ve been created, and begin to wonder how it is that they have come into being. This may usually draw a young mind to conclude that there is a higher power or creator. Spending time outdoors also makes us into happier being because just the clean air freshens our minds and the green gives a sense of healing and peace. I think that not only children, but also older people can experience the benefits as well.
It’s very true that children who spend most of their time outdoors have a strong sense of self fulfillment and purpose because they interact with other children that are different from them.These children also understand nature and they are less likely to destroy or harm organisms that are found in the same environment that they find themselves in.I also believe that if you play outside you will be able to grow spiritually because you will be able to share your believes to other children and they will also share theirs to you too.As a child i grew up playing outdoors and i believe that through that i had the opportunity to express my self and i even had self-confidence.
This article provides perfect support to the notion that children should still be given time to spend outdoors interacting with nature and other people in this age where almost everything is digital. In fact, in my opinion, every parent should implement mandatory outdoor time for their child where they leave everything electronic in the house and go outside to either socialize with other children or to feel the fresh air. Children who spend too much time indoors struggle later on in life because they lack the necessary social skills to maneuver past life’s everyday problems.
This article poses one of the most controversial topics of modern-day society: should children still be allowed to play outside or should they be ‘programmed’ to be technologically driven to enhance current society. Although, there is no doubt that technology has enhanced our world in ways we could never have imagined, it has along the way created many pitfalls. Children of today have become so engrossed in technology and its advancements at such a young age; it is almost as if they have lost the innocence of their youth.
From this article, we see the importance for a child to go outside and fully express themselves. Not only does it keep them active and help prevent many lifestyle diseases, it is crucial to their development. In a world where religion is slowly becoming a far-fetched concept, we need to ensure that future generations truly appreciate and comprehend the mastery behind creation. By being in such close proximity with nature, not only do they begin to appreciate and admire the beauty of nature they are also driven to, at all costs, preserve and protect it for future generations.
Children need to know how things are happening around them in order to differentiate between good and bad in the future. Spiritual being grow inside day by day in order to be useful one day. That is why children develop either anger or happiness during their growth which it is determine by how child thinks and response to the environment. Nature is a good source which can build child ‘s mind without creating unusual thoughts.
I fully agree with this article that when kids spend most of their time outdoors they become spiritual. Nature has the ability to connect with people, it makes you feel calm and filled with happiness I think that’s why kids tend to love playing outdoors. Nature makes the children to feel a sense of belonging where they can go and be themselves and forget about everyone around them. Its full of colours that are very inviting for kids in sense where they end up connecting with nature. It is true what is said in this article that children who grow up loving to play outside are more active because they are used to all the adventures around them, this help kids to be adults that are good thinkers.
Children as an upcoming generation have the potential to change the way humans treat the earth. According to this article, studies have proven that children who spend time in nature for 5-10 hours a week, feel a spiritual connection with the earth and that their role is to protect it. This is truly exceptional. May our children be the solution to deforestation, mining, fracking, poaching and fishing performed by man? Thus, as a result, saving our beautiful and only planet we live on.
I strongly agree with the points being made in this article, playing outside absolutely makes kids become more spiritual, not only that but I would argue that it makes them more creative. They are able to play and have fun with minor objects such as sticks, whilst a child that spends all his time indoors would have difficulty coming up with something entertaining to do in the outdoors. Playing outside makes one appreciate nature more, you’re able to witness things that would go unnoticed indoors. In todays day and age you’re lucky if your child spends a maximum of 30 minutes outdoors. There are so many health benefits associated with playing outdoors, for example it increases the child’s fitness whilst the children who stay indoors are more susceptible to being lazy and thus in the future possibly becoming overweight. Also playing outside reduces ones stress levels whilst the people who are inside playing online games for example can be extremely stressed especially if they are loosing. Therefore it is essential that parents encourage their children to spend some time outdoors because there are so many benefits and whats the harm?
Apart from the health benefits of playing outside, I think that the most important thing that children will gain is respect for nature. We live in a world where nature is exploited and it is important that the children of today are raised to respect nature and feel responsible for protecting it.
I believe that nature has magnificent healing power. When I was in school, I didn’t participate much in sports because I was not at all interested in it. Instead, I spent my free time in the afternoons in our back yard, planting and nurturing my very own garden. To an ordinary child a garden might not seem to be a valuable possession, but to me it meant pretty much. It was my own little piece of heaven to escape to when life around me just became too much to handle. It also taught me to appreciate the beauty of nature and to work hard at achieving my goals. I mean, it takes quite a lot of effort to grow a garden yourself and to keep it thriving, especially for a twelve year old. Perseverance is but one of the things I got out of growing my own garden. I also learned to appreciate the fact that there is a power greater than me that made my little garden thrive. I believe that water and sunlight can do only so much to make the plants grow. The real magic came in when God bestowed His blessing upon my garden. In much the same way I realized that God was bestowing His love and blessing upon me in my everyday life. This had an enormous impact on my spirituality. So, out of personal experience, I think that it is essential for children to play outside in order to grow spiritually from an early age. The seed needs to be planted and then nurtured in order for it to get to full bloom.
I agree with this article. Now a days children are stuck to technology and they never turn their heads to the outside world. My cousin is a big example. Every time I see him, he would be in front of his computer or the television. Because of this he is not able to catch a ball, he has no hand coordination and he doesn’t have any idea how to communicate or socialize. He never felt as free as I did, who grew up playing the whole time outside. I agree on Leeche Storm (14006333) comment that if you spend quality time outside it releases endorphin that tells the mind that the human being is happy. Being happy is what life is about. Nature calm people down and will also lower the chances of depression. It brings out the best in you. Children’s creativity is expanded to the boundaries and wonderful ideas are created in the nature. There are too much benefits of letting your children play outside that nobody must allow their children to be captivated in front of technology.
A young mind needs to touch, feel and interpret their surroundings in order to understand them. some outside time is a much needed source of learning for a growing mind. it is pleasing to know that our future nature conversationalists are playing in a garden, on a mountain and in a forest at this present moment.
I find this article very interesting and true, the youth of today spend all their time on their cellphones or computers.Whether it is surfing the net or just chatting to friends they are missing out on being a kid and playing in the dirt, exploring and finding little insects, watching tad poles grow into frogs, something so minor can have a big affect on a child.When i was growing up all i knew was playing outside, kids now days dont want to go camping or hiking, or have any adventure outside. This will also have an affect on how they view the environment, when it comes to saving and trying to preserve our earth they will not care since they will not have any love or appreciation for our environment.Sadly in the future we look to these kids to save our beautiful planet.
Outdoor time is vital for kids growth, their physical and mental developments; it’s important for kids to spend lots of time in the natural settings. Those activities create and explore a world they can master. As they master their world, play helps them to develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and resiliency they will need in future challenges and learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.
Today’s children are not engage to outdoor activities, therefore the rate of kids suffering from obesity is getting higher. when kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Because regular activities provide them with strong muscles and bones, weight control, better sleep and decrease risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those kids will have a better outlook on life, as health, physical active kids are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age, therefore parents have to encourage their kids to do outdoor activities.
Outdoor time is vital for kids growth, their physical and mental developments; it’s important for kids to spend lots of time in the natural settings. Those activities create and explore a world they can master. As they master their world, play helps them to develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and resiliency they will need in future challenges and learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills.
Today’s children are not engage to outdoor activities, therefore the rate of kids suffering from obesity is getting higher. when kids are active, their bodies can do the things they want and need them to do. Because regular activities provide them with strong muscles and bones, weight control, better sleep and decrease risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those kids will have a better outlook on life, as health, physical active kids are more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. And physical competence builds self-esteem at every age.
It wise for the parent to encourage their young ones to engage outdoor activities and avoid indoor stuff e.g televiosion.
100%
I strongly agree with this article in the sense that our children are the future of the Earth. With them spending more time outdoors rather that in front of the television, they form a natural liking to the Earth, and often develop a protective relationship towards “mother nature”. This relationship can then be used to create a barrier between global warming and the human race. It is no secret that our Earth is under attack by its own residents. Natural disasters are increasing, sea levels are rising, non-renewable resources are being used up at an alarming rate and slowly but surely we are destroying our own homes, all for the feeling of fulfillment people seek. Raising a generation that loves the Earth and sees it as more than just a roof over one’s head will create an army of peace-declaring humans adamant on saving our planet. This army might just be a flicker of light in what seems to be a never ending tunnel of Earthly darkness.
Letting young and growing minds spend quality time outside releases endorphins that tells the mind that the human being id happy. Being happy is a strong emotion that can connotate with certain areas such as spirituality, intellectuality and many other aspects. This article explains beautifully that it is indeed possible that children can learn from nature. Children, having young, creative minds, has the ability to communicate with nature in a way creating a special spiritual bond between them. It is important that children spend as much time as they can outdoors in order to sustain that bond and to also become happy young adults that aspires for great things and prosper in life.
I strongly agree with this article that playing outside helps children become more spiritual. I believe that a calm, natural environment assists with human development relating to creativity and balance. Playing outside is a way in which a child can interact with his or her environment and build up an appreciation and fondness for it, instead of limiting oneself and sacrificing social skills by sitting in front of the TV or computer all day. Children who grow up loving the earth they live in will be more proactive as adults to do what they can to save to the earth. Those that grow up lacking appreciation for the earth will also lack any sense of spirituality with it. I think it is important for children to spend a good number of hours a week outdoors so that they are able to become one with nature and develop a love and deeper understanding for it.