BEING Outdoors instantly helps our mental health. We hear it all the time. People will say, “When I was a kid, we spent every waking minute outside playing with our friends. Kids these days just sit in front of a screen!" Are you tired of hearing that? But deep inside you know that being outside is good for your kid's mental health? That just being outside helps relieve stress. Well, here’s some good news for you, we’ve got "7 Ways to Make Being Outside Irresistible." Getting ... Read More about Relieve Stress: 7 Ways To Make Being Outside Irresistible
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Nature and Mental Health, Go Outside and Play!
Why the outdoors helps keep you healthy. What is it about nature that calms us? How are nature and mental health related? Nature makes our mind be at rest and our bodies relax. You've experienced it when you are out for a walk, or relaxing at a beach. It really is true that nature helps our mental health. Let's use that power to help our kids. Let's use nature to combat stress. Your child's mental health is very important in their development. Children live through their senses. The ... Read More about Nature and Mental Health, Go Outside and Play!
How To Have Happy Kids: Try “Finding Ecohappiness”
A book review. You just want your kids to be happy, right? Parents everywhere want happy kids. It's pure joy to watch your children laugh, play and enjoy life. One sure way to reach the "happy kids" goal is to read the new book Finding Ecohappiness by Sandi Schwartz, and use her suggestions for getting more nature in your life. In Finding Ecohappiness, Sandi covers all the different ways we interact with nature. Creative Play is a big part of spending time in nature, but she includes ... Read More about How To Have Happy Kids: Try “Finding Ecohappiness”
Dealing With Big Emotions? What’s A Parent To Do?
Teach your child self-regulation at home. Your child has anxious feelings, big emotions and outbursts that make you feel helpless. You wonder, “What can I do? Nothing seems to be working.” The real question is what tools should I use to help my child. The Zones of Regulation, created by Leah Kuypers, is one tool parents can use to teach their child self regulation skills. These skills can help kids throughout life. They were specifically created to develop self regulation skills and ... Read More about Dealing With Big Emotions? What’s A Parent To Do?
How Nature Art Can Be A Stress Buster For Kids
Guest post by Sandi Schwartz Art may seem like just a fun way to keep kids busy, but it has so many remarkable benefits including helping them feel more relaxed. Creativity provides a healthy outlet for children to express and cope with their emotions in a safe, calm way. It allows them to tap into the right side of the brain where creativity, intuition, visualization, emotions, and daydreaming stem from. It has also been shown to develop many positive characteristics and help children lead ... Read More about How Nature Art Can Be A Stress Buster For Kids