.png){kind=logo}
In a world increasingly characterized by over-coddled children, worried parents and mental health challenges, the case for re-configuring the ways we raise our children has never been more compelling for the next generation of youth of today.
This article aims to present an argument for a fundamental shift in our approach to raising children, recognizing that many of us are entangled in a cycle of confusion, frustration, and worriedness, often fuelled by a barrage of conflicting information. This confusion is compounded by the proliferation of pseudoscientific revelations and inconclusive research that frequently misguides well-intentioned parents. Our parenting styles and the information we share within our families have evolved, but not always for the better.
The proposed solution, though gut-wrenching and challenging to accept, is remarkably straightforward: a return to unstructured outdoor play, moving towards a transformation in preschool education, more specifically, a move to outdoor play and outdoor preschools.
Our journey towards this change requires us to not only reevaluate our societal norms but also to understand our role as a species in shaping the future of our children. Embracing nature-based learning and unstructured play is a step towards rectifying the imbalances created by our modern practices. It's another one of those calls to action for us to reconnect with our natural roots and provide our children with the environment they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. This time, however, I would argue that it is supported by enough scientific research and aligns more closely with our intuitive understanding of how children develop compared to the ever increasing artificial environments we place them in out of modern convenience and “protection”.
Drawing upon paleoanthropological evidence and modern research, I’d like for us not just as a society, but as a species to explore how unstructured and nature-based learning environments are just simply crucial for the natural, and yes, holistic, development of children, particularly in the face of modern challenges like low-attention span, rising diagnoses of conditions like ADHD, mental health issues, and the increasing prevalence of allergies in children from developed countries. I hope to adequately make the case that many of these seemingly modern issues need to be looked at differently, so that our attempts at resolving them don’t inadvertently lead to more problems and guide another generation towards a troubled future.
Unhealthy foods, disconnection, and too much screen time
In today's digital age, where unhealthy foods and excessive screen time are prevalent challenges for children, it's increasingly important for parents to actively and strategically guide their kids towards healthier habits. One effective approach is encouraging more outdoor play, which can naturally shift children's focus from screens to more physical activities. Engaging in outdoor games and exploring nature not only stimulates physical movement but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the environment and personal well-being. This shift can subtly influence dietary choices as well; after active play, children are more likely to accept nourishing foods that are offered to them over waiting for sugary, high-calorie snacks -This might take a bit of time to get to this point, but it's a beautiful awakening when you realize the shift is possible.
Since these types of treats are often aggressively marketed to them on TV or other types of media advertisements, when we lower the exposure, that connection tends to break away over-time. By setting an example and participating in outdoor activities with their children, parents can create a fun, health-oriented family culture. This approach not only combats the lure of screens and unhealthy foods but also strengthens family bonds and instills lifelong habits of wellness and appreciation for the outdoors. Everyone wins!
So How Did We Get Here?
Through my research, a basic but significant factor that seems to have contributed to the decline in outdoor play is the trend of over-coddling, where parents, often driven by safety concerns and personal stress, limited their children's opportunities for unstructured and risky play. During the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the rise of homeschooling, an emphasis on safety gear, structured activities, and organized sports all converged to diminish children's participation in unstructured outdoor play, a period epitomized by the 'Stranger Danger' mentality. Parents often did this out of the fear of the unknown, yet, they welcomed the unknown right through the back-door. This lowered access to the outdoors and unstructured play would unintentionally lead to kids finding their own solutions to overcome boredom, forming new habits of staying inside more, and limiting their exposure to new challenges, leading to them missing out on critical developmental windows.
These developmental windows, otherwise known as “windows of opportunity”, is no joke. The overprotectiveness of children can inadvertently hinder children's development of independence, risk assessment skills, and creativity. These skills are important, and by limiting such opportunities, children become less of each, including becoming less social.
Encouraging more unstructured outdoor play is a valuable countermeasure to these negative outcomes. When children are given their much desired freedom to explore, create, and engage with their environment, they develop crucial skills that are not always gained in other alternatives -, especially mindlessly watching mischievous monkey videos on a screen.
Many of us have caught on to this to some degree, qualities like resilience, problem-solving skills, and a sense of autonomy is something that really appears to be missing in the recent generational cohorts. As parents witness these positive developments, their confidence in the benefits of outdoor activities grows.
Moreover, this increased engagement in outdoor activities naturally leads to a reduction in screen time. As children become more absorbed in the physical and imaginative play that the outdoors offers, their reliance on digital devices for entertainment diminishes. This decrease in screen time is not only beneficial for their physical health, reducing the risk of issues like diabetes, obesity and eye strain, but also for their mental and emotional well-being. Outdoor play enhances social skills, reduces stress, and improves mood, countering the often isolating and sedentary nature of screen-based activities. Many of us have witnessed the sudden storm after Paw Patrol gets turned off - it’s not fun. I really think that it is possible that as parents begin observing more of these positive changes, they’ll be more likely to continue promoting and participating in these healthy outdoor habits, further reinforcing a lifestyle that balances technology with active, real-world experiences.
Dare we say, convenient babysitting?
This might be the point where some may get uncomfortable, but it's crucial to recognize that we often make excuses when we perceive the ideal outcome as too challenging to achieve. We tend to look at the situation from various angles, yet shy away from taking action when we believe it would require too much effort. However, it's essential to understand that these changes can bring substantial benefits for everyone involved.
The traditional, indoor-centric approach of many preschools is increasingly at odds with the evolving needs of today's children. These settings often confine young learners to structured, artificial environments, significantly limiting their interaction with the natural world and its numerous benefits. While we approach the important task of childcare with caution and the best interests of the children in mind, providing them with safe environments, entertaining toys, and cognitively stimulating activities, we risk overlooking a critical aspect of childhood development: overcoming Nature-Deficit Disorder. This term, coined by Richard Louv in his book "Last Child in the Woods," highlights the growing disconnection between children and the outdoors. Our urban-centric lifestyles, while convenient and filled with technological advancements, inadvertently contribute to this disconnect, leading us away from the enriching experiences that nature provides. The opportunities to take risks, challenge oneself, and collectively find solutions to problems are replaced by foam-covered corners, flashy electronic toys, and a helping hand every time the child falls down. Unfortunately, in shaping our children’s lives and environments, we inadvertently model them after our own, seeking safer adjustments that make life more convenient. These adjustments are often double-edge swords, leading to progressively more technology-saturated and nature-deprived lifestyles. This mirroring effect risks reinforcing a cycle where children are exposed to less outdoor activity and more screen time, potentially leading to the negative outcomes associated with a lack of natural engagement - (have you ever watched WALL-E?). Our societal choices, therefore, not only reflect our current state but also shape the future experiences and habits of younger generations, emphasizing the need for a conscious effort to reconnect with outdoor exploration and play.
While we are not against indoor early childhood centres and daycares, we are simply hoping to get the conversation going to the next level, exploring the "uncomfortable" aspects of outdoor childcare that can contribute significantly to children's development. This discomfort stems from facing the unpredictable elements of nature, the perceived risks of outdoor play, and the relinquishment of control that comes with allowing children to navigate their own learning experiences in less structured environments. These factors, while potentially uneasy for parents and educators accustomed to more controlled settings, are essential for fostering resilience, independence, and adaptability in children.
Outdoor play, in its unstructured form, diverges from the rigid, adult-led activities typical of indoor settings, allowing children to steer their own learning experiences. This freedom might unsettle some, fearing it leads to ineffective learning or aimless play. Yet, it's through this liberated exploration that children hone their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social aptitude, as they interact, collaborate, and invent with peers without continuous adult intervention.
Moreover, the outdoor environment imparts lessons on natural consequences in a direct, immediate fashion. A tumble on the rough ground, for instance, teaches caution and personal responsibility in ways cushioned, indoor play spaces cannot match. Such real-world experiences are invaluable in developing a keen sense of risk assessment and personal responsibility.
Lastly, the elemental forces of nature—from the chill of the wind to the warmth of the sun—forge a direct bond with the natural world, a connection essential for cultivating environmental stewardship. Experiencing the discomforts alongside the joys of nature (the cold that comes before the warmth of a campfire, the tiredness that precedes the satisfaction of building a shelter) instills a deep appreciation and respect for the environment, encouraging children to value and protect our planet. This holistic approach not only enriches children's understanding of their surroundings but also ingrains a lasting connection with the natural world.
Hygiene Hypothesis
Another important proposition, which I endorse and consider worthy of investigation as we delve into rethinking traditional daycare models in favour of outdoor forest schools is addressing the rising incidences of allergies in children, a phenomenon closely linked to the Hygiene Hypothesis (Du Toit et al., 2008). This hypothesis suggests that a lack of early childhood exposure to various microorganisms, parasites, and bacteria — due to overly hygienic environments — may lead to the development of allergies. Essentially, the immune system, not being challenged enough in modern society’s increasingly sterile environments, becomes hypersensitive, mistaking harmless substances for harmful ones and triggering allergic reactions.
Through the lens of the Hygiene Hypothesis and the insights of researchers like Jonathan Haidt (Mcalpine, 2018), the increasing prevalence of allergies, such as those to peanuts, and their connection to modern child-rearing practices sheds light on how we can begin to pull back on society's progressive yet seemingly regressive trends that may be harming them. Haidt's research underscores the idea that the rise in allergies may be partly attributed to society’s protective emphasis which has led to excessively hygienic environments in early childhood.
This hypothesis is further illuminated by the notable case of peanut allergies in Jewish children in Israel compared to those in Western countries. Research has shown that Jewish children in Israel have significantly lower rates of peanut allergies compared to Jewish children in the UK and the United States (Du Toit, 2015). This difference is largely attributed to dietary practices; in Israel, children are commonly introduced to peanut-based foods like Bamba (a popular peanut snack) at a very early age. This early introduction to peanut proteins contrasts with the practices in many Western countries, where such foods are often avoided in early childhood due to allergy concerns.
The case of peanut allergies in different cultural contexts supports the argument that controlled exposure to potential allergens in early life can be beneficial. It challenges the over-coddling approach, where parents and caregivers avoid exposing children to a variety of foods and environmental factors in an attempt to protect them. This overprotectiveness, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently contribute to the development of such allergies.
Forest schools and similar outdoor educational models offer a practical approach to counteracting this trend. By encouraging outdoor play and interaction with natural elements, these schools provide a more diverse range of microbial exposures, which is crucial for the development of a healthy immune system.
In the fabric of today’s fast-paced, technology-driven society, the call to reintegrate nature into the lives of our youngest members has never been more urgent. This article has navigated through the myriad ways in which the modern lifestyle, characterized by indoor confinement and digital saturation, has inadvertently steered us away from the enriching embrace of the outdoors—a vital element for healthy development and well-being. The journey through outdoor preschools is not merely a return to a simpler, nature-bound way of living but a forward leap into cultivating resilient, well-rounded individuals equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.
As we ponder the future of education and child development, it becomes clear that outdoor education and outdoor preschools stand as a practical solution, offering a holistic approach that marries the innate curiosities of children with the endless learning opportunities provided by nature. These institutions are not just antidotes to the rising tide of mental health issues and physical ailments among children but are foundational pillars for fostering a deep-seated connection with the environment, critical thinking, social skills, and a robust immune system.
While the transition towards embracing the full scope of outdoor learning, with its unpredictability and unstructured nature, might be uncomfortable or too challenging, it's precisely these aspects that are crucial for children's holistic development. While navigating urban environments and adapting to technological advancements are important skills for contemporary life, they should not come at the expense of fundamental childhood experiences in the natural world. By choosing to blend learning with the natural world, we are not only addressing the immediate needs of our children but are also investing in a future where they lead healthier, happier, and more harmonious lives. It's a commitment to breaking the cycle of disconnection from nature and fostering a generation that values and protects its environment as much as their own well-being. Outdoor fpreschools are not just an option; they are an imperative for the holistic development of our children and the health of our planet.
Comments