There is extensive research showing why the Nature Kindergarten philosophy of education is one of the most natural and beneficial approaches for a child. Learning through nature offers a truly holistic educational experience, which promotes cognitive and physical development, as well as the development of social and emotional skills.

That’s not to even mention the immensely positive impact that outdoor education can have on a child’s health & overall sense of well-being. In an era where mental health issues are increasing, this is arguably the most important area of development for young children. Positive mental health has a big influence on all other aspects of development, from cognitive ability to physical well-being. In a rapidly changing technological world, ‘soft’ skills like communication and interpersonal skills are predicted to become more important in the workplace, as industry skills will be constantly changing and evolving.

Teamwork and cooperation

Social skills are an integral part of daily life at Nature Kindergarten, as the children and adults interact freely with each other throughout the day. The environment is underpinned by a highly democratic ethos that ensures that the children take ‘ownership’ of the forest and are consulted on any planned developments to their space. This fosters a sense of responsibility and also a sense of belonging among the group.

In this environment, children quickly learn the value of teamwork and cooperation as they work together to build a den or help each other out as they attempt new challenges. Whether it’s encouraging a friend as they climb a tree or helping them to gather sticks for the fire, the cooperation and respect that the children have for each other is truly heart-warming.

Freedom to choose their activities promotes regular negotiation, as the children communicate on what they would like to do together. During group projects they are encouraged to resolve issues themselves, and this teaches them how to compromise and resolve conflict in a functional way. Through this freedom of choice, the children can also see the impact that their decisions have on others and this develops empathy, a quality that is hugely valuable for positive interactions with others.

Self-confidence and resilience

The Nature Kindergarten environment provides lots of opportunities for young children to physically challenge themselves should they choose to. These ‘challenges by choice’ could include attempting to climb a tree, navigating their way across the unstable wobble boards, or jumping from the play house. Each time that the children complete these self-directed challenges, they gain a sense of achievement and so grow in confidence and self-esteem.

By attempting challenges the children also build up resilience, as they learn to pick themselves up and ‘have a go’ again if they don’t achieve the desired result. The children at Nature Kindergarten
come to naturally understand that perseverance and effort leads to growth and improvement, and this positive ‘have a go’ attitude spills into all other areas of their lives. 

Independence and risk assessment

Another by-product of completing ‘challenges by choice’ is that it encourages children to become more independent. The more they succeed at these challenges, the more they realise that they can do things by themselves. While our outdoor early years educators are always there to supervise and guide the children, they also encourage the children to be as self-reliant as possible when it is safe to do so.

The Nature Kindergarten team also facilitates risk assessment, an integral skill that encourages children to think through the potential outcomes of their planned actions. The more the children do this, the better they become; this also feeds into their sense of autonomy.

Over the years, society has developed a habit of wrapping children in cotton wool, but studies have shown that risk-taking is vital for a child’s development (Hanscom, 2015). By assessing and taking appropriate risks, a child learns what they are capable of and becomes responsible for their own actions. This in turn leads to greater self-esteem and self-belief.

Contributing to daily life in the forest also naturally develops independence, as the children develop practical life skills such as chopping wood, cooking, and building a fire. Knowing that they can fulfil their basic survival needs makes children feel more secure in their world.

Psychological and emotional well-being

The Nature Kindergarten environment benefits a child’s psychological and emotional well-being in a multitude of ways, such as connecting children with the awe-inspiring wonder of nature and promoting regular physical movement.

Research shows that outdoor play also has a calming effect on children as they get the opportunity to work off extra energy and are free from the sensory overload that indoor environments can create. The peaceful natural environment allows children to focus and become absorbed in what they are doing, which promotes a sense of ‘flow’ that is essential for mental well-being.

The natural environment also has many biological effects that contribute to a positive mental well-being, for example reducing stress levels in children and increasing vitamin D absorption. Vitamin D deficiency is becoming common in Ireland due to a lack of sun exposure and families spending more time indoors using smartphones and TVs. Since this vitamin is responsible for releasing serotonin (otherwise known as the happy hormone!), it is necessary to regulate emotion and prevent depression and anxiety.

Another benefit of spending the day outdoors is that it exposes children to lots of natural light, which helps regulate melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that relaxes the body and promotes a good night’s sleep, so it helps children feel more refreshed and better able to cope with life’s challenges.

Finally, aside from all the physical, educational, and socio-emotional benefits that Nature Kindergarten provides, learning outdoors allows the children to simply just ‘be children’ and do as Mother Nature intended: run, climb, use their imaginations, and get completely lost in the joy of their own play.

In an age increasingly dominated by technology and instant gratification, it is a rare and valuable opportunity to have a childhood like this. You can learn more about Park Academy’s holistic, child-led, and play-based emergent learning approach on the Our Care page. Alternatively, we’d love to hear from you via the Contact Us page.