September 19, 2012
The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.
-Lou Holtz
"A growing body of
research attests to the importance of access to nature -- even if only a
small patch of trees on marginal urban land -- for human health and
well-being,"writes Louise Chawla in the Bernard van Leer publication, Living Conditions: The Influence on Young Children's Health (www.bernardvanleer.org). Some research findings cited by Chawla:-Lou Holtz
- Studies show links between access to nature and ability to sustain concentration, delay gratification and cope with stressors.
- Ethnographic observations of children's play show that games are more imaginative and creative in natural habitats.
- Play in nature has been found to promote physical agility and social confidence.
- Natural environments tend to encourage play that is gender-neutral or that brings boys and girls together.
- Natural play fosters a deep sense of connectedness to the larger universe of living things.
