Mindful outdoor activities provide a calm environment that engage a kid’s senses, which research shows can help them focus, feel more confident, and more
, who uses ecotherapy at Sustainable Self in Portland, Oregon. “Learning to do something outdoors can then transfer to other settings,” he says. Butconquering an outdoor skill—for instance, hiking up a mountain while paying attention to how the ground feels under your feet the higher you climb—builds confidence around one’s own well-being.
Empathy is another trait that can be boosted in children through ecotherapy. Buzzell-Saltzman says that she often asks kids to sit in nature and observe a small creature, like a worm or a bee. “Focusing on that creature—thinking about what it feels like to be that animal or insect—helps build empathy,” she says.Ecotherapy activities vary widely, and Doherty says children won’t respond to all of them. That’s why it’s important to match your kid’s personality with the activity.
Ask them to notice how their surroundings affect them. For instance, instead of just painting or drawing under a tree, have them use all five senses to create the art. Where can you find that color in nature? Do you notice any aromas? Or sounds? How can they incorporate those into art?Horticultural therapy uses gardening to improve well-being, and parents can try elements from this practice for their oh-so-logical children.
Ask your runner to avoid headphones and instead see how many birds they hear. See if your tennis player can describe the boink of a ball against the racquet. Perhaps your swimmer pays attention to how the water feels when doing the backstroke versus the butterfly.Adventure therapy engages people doing extreme outdoor activities, from rock climbing to skiing to mountain biking. To minimize risk, these activities foster problem-solving skills , as well as concentration and patience.
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