On the Shelf: Parenting with Nature with Laurie
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Check out the books
Look in our catalog for Outdoor Kids in an Inside World by Steven Rinella, Finding Ecohappiness by Sandi Schwartz, 1000 Hours Outside by Ginny Yurich, and the full Parenting with Nature list.
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Read the transcript
This is Laurie from the Washoe County Library System. Welcome to On the Shelf. In an increasingly indoor-focused world, children have become disconnected with nature. The following books are resourceful for parents and caregivers wanting to reestablish a strong connection with the outdoors.
Noting a sharp decline in outdoor play, Steven Rinella advocates for families to get outside together in his book Outdoor Kids in an Inside World. He explains the range of benefits of outdoor play including benefits to physical health, cognitive function, and emotional stability. Instead of treating nature activities as isolated, sporadic events, he advises integrating them into the family lifestyle and becoming involved in nature-focused community groups.
Finding Ecohappiness by Sandi Schwartz contains a large number of fun nature activities focused on creating happier and calmer children. The activities are split into seven categories: awe and gratitude, mindfulness, creative arts, outdoor play and adventure, volunteering, food, and animals. Each section highlights several possible activities related to the theme then explains the health benefit, as well as how to incorporate the activities into everyday life. Although the book is focused on children, Schwartz emphasizes that the benefits extend to all.
Swapping screen time for green time is the theme of 1000 Hours Outside by Ginni Yurich. Organized by season, the book facilitates outdoor activities for the entire year, ranging anywhere from multiday projects like growing a beanstalk hideout or building an ice brick structure to shorter activities like taking a night hike or making mud pies.
For more great book suggestions, visit the #WhatToRead tab in our library catalog and check out titles for free with your library card. Happy reading!