Contributor, Sara Norris and Early Childhood Educator, Jada Berg have a candid conversation about being outside with young children. Together, they share the joys and challenges of getting outside in all weather.

There is a growing body of research that is paying closer attention to the phenomenon of our body’s reaction to nature. This effect, of feeling better when feeling connected to the natural world (whether it be experienced through a window, a video, a painting, or a walk), is called the biophilia theory. It’s a theory that suggests we have evolution to thank for our reason to seek out nature experiences.

Part of the research being compiled is coming out of the practice of shinrin-yoku in Japan. Shinrin-yoku is literally translated as Forest Bathing.

Contributor Lauren Hakala shares some insight into the mud kitchen and the importance it has in outdoor play and budding kitchen skills.

A mud kitchen is a place where being out in nature fuels a child’s imagination. Wet and dry sand in combination, even dirt and mud creates opportunities for different kinds of play. The sun on a rock can make a good stove top. Water that is fresh from a stream, collected rainwater or a puddle holds the interest of a young child. If water comes from inside the house, leave it out in the sunshine a bit to enliven the water. Just having the water outside will become interesting to the young child.