Discover resources to enhance children’s exploration of the great outdoors.
By Drew Bigelow, Library Aide, Kings Park Library
The Importance of Fresh Air
Going outside and interacting with nature has proven benefits for children. According to Claire McCarthy of Harvard Health Publishing, being outside not only “encourages active play, which is really the best exercise for children,” but also fosters an appreciation for nature — an important effect when “the future of the planet depends on our children.”
Nature also provides an ideal space for creativity to bloom. Ming Kuo of Greater Good Magazine highlights how “nature provides a rich tapestry of ‘loose parts’ — sticks, stones, and mud” — with which children can interact, making learning and playing much more hands-on.
Databases and Books to Take You There
FCPL has several resources to help achieve these goals, all featuring activities and games that allow children to create and learn about the world around them. Caregivers are invited to get involved as well, since we can all benefit from some natural inspiration! Start with the following ideas, and ask your local branch for more recommendations:
Databases
- Gale in Context: Elementary features easy-to-read articles about a variety of nature-related topics such as geography and animals.
- Just for Kids (Access Video on Demand) hosts videos that discuss the natural world, bringing nature indoors.
- Scholastic Go! is an easy-to-use search engine that allows children to explore a variety of articles about nature and the outdoors.
Books
- Whatever the Weather by Annie Riechmann and Dawn Suzette Smith
- Divided into four sections — snow, rain, sun and wind — this book details activities to help children understand how weather affects the world around them.
- Bug Lab for Kids by John W. Guyton
- Since “our most common interaction with wildlife is with insects”, this book will get kids outside to explore the wide world of bugs up close.
- Gardening Lab for Kids by Renata Fossen Brown
- Brown features a variety of projects for children centered around gardening, from growing the plants themselves to “getting creative with paint, water, cement and bottle caps to make unique items for [their] outdoor space” .
- Let’s Go Outside! by Jennifer Ward
- Ward strives to keep older children interested in nature through “timeless and traditional outdoor play” and “eco-minded experiences.”
- A Little Bit of Dirt by Asia Citro
- A combination of hands-on science and art projects encourage an understanding of the natural world.