Nature and Children

1. Nature and Children Youth Leadership March 8, 2012 Marie Clarke

2. Session objectives • To review “nature” in scripture and Spirit of Prophecy • To explore benefits exposure to “nature” • To consider ways to actively include nature in Adventurer programming

3. Hymn 93 • All Things Bright and Beautiful

4. All Things Bright and Beautiful • All things bright and beautiful,All creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful:The Lord God made them all. • Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings,He made their glowing colors,He made their tiny wings.

5. Group Activity • What does nature mean to you? • What benefits does nature and outdoor activities provide? • Why include Nature in Adventurers?

6. What is nature? • "natural environment" or wilderness—wild animals, rocks, forest, beaches, etc, not substantially altered by humans • derived from the Latin term natura - "that which has been born"

7. Benefits of outdoors/nature • direct contact with nature...increases mental health and psychological development • approach may be different, all have shown that nature experiences are desirable and healthy

8. Benefits (cont’d) • Relaxation and stress reduction • Decreases mental fatigue, increases sense of well being • Aids recovery from surgery • Benefits children's attention span • Promotes respect for nature and the environment

9. Children and Nature nature in scripture

10. Origins • In the beginning God created heaven and earth Gen 1:1

11. Remember the Sabbath… • Do no work…nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, Deuteronomy 5: 14

12. Psalm 1:1-3, A. R. V. "Blessed is the man" whose "delight is in the law of Jehovah. . . He shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

13. Job 12: 7-9, A. R. V. "Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; And the birds of the heavens, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; And the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these, That the hand of Jehovah hath wrought?"

14. Trees I think that I shall never see A poem as lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in Summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.Joyce Kilmer

15. How did Jesus see nature? Creator and Sustainer • God is a loving Father who sustains and cares for all creation. • Since he loves all people, he causes the sun to shine and rain to fall on both righteous and wicked people

16. Jesus used nature metaphorically • God’s people are sheep • Jesus is the good shepherd who gives his life for his sheep • He is the bread that gives eternal life • The Holy Spirit is the water that gives life

17. His parables use nature • Many parables utilize nature to teach spiritual truth. • seeds, • weeds, • wheat, • yeast, • fish • trees

18. Environmental stewardship • Hence human dominion over should be exercised for the good of creation, not the selfish destruction of nature. • The parable of the talents and the parable of the wise steward imply the earth is a stewardship for which humanity is accountable

19. Children and Nature Spirit of Prophecy references

20. Education For the first eight or ten years of a child's life the field or garden is the best schoolroom...nature the best lesson book. p. 208 To the little child…nature presents an unfailing source of instruction and delight p. 100

21. 8 Testimonies God desires us to learn from nature the lesson of obedience. p 327 The book of nature and the written word shed light upon each other. Both make us better acquainted with God by teaching us of His character and of the laws through which He works. P 328

22. 8 Testimonies p 327 God's laws for nature are obeyed by nature. Cloud and storm, sunshine and shower, dew and rain, all are under the supervision of God and yield obedience to His command. In obedience to the law of God the spire of grain bursts through the earth, "first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." Mark 4:28.

23. Education p. 99 God in Nature Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity. Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in contact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but recognize the working of infinite power.

24. Steps to Christ , Ch 1, p 9 Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven gives us life, wisdom, and joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of the many ways the things of nature provide for the needs and happiness of… all living creatures.

25. Ministry of Healing The Saviour's life on earth was a life of communion with nature and with God. p. 51 In His written word and in the great book of nature, He has revealed the principles of life. (use to restore health to body and soul) p. 114

26. Leisure (William Henry Davies) What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows. No time to see, when woods we pass, Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

27. Leisure cont’d No time to see, in broad daylight, Streams full of stars, like skies at night. No time to turn at Beauty’s glance, And watch her feet, how they can dance. No time to wait till her mouth can Enrich that smile her eyes began. A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare.

28. Children and Nature Research - children experiencing nature

29. Research (child development) • positive effects of nature are strongest in middle childhood (ages 6-12) • positive developmental influences endure and grow into adulthood • cognitive, affective, and moral development is impacted significantly and positively

30. Research (benefits cont’d) • helps children develop powers of observation and creativity and instils a sense of peace and being at one with the world (Crain 2001). • Early experiences ... linked with the development of imagination and the sense of wonder (Cobb 1977, Louv 1991) • Wonder is an important motivator for life long learning (Wilson 1997).

31. Benefits cont’d • An affinity to and love of nature, along with a positive environmental ethic, grow out of regular contact with and play in the natural world during early childhood

32. Benefits cont’d • Exposure to natural environments improves children's cognitive development by improving their awareness, reasoning and observational skills (Pyle 2002).

33. Benefits cont’d • Even young children can observe changes in nature and look for signs of wildlife. • Older children … identify and classify wildlife and observe animal habits. • Children's curiosity can drive them to improve their research skills

34. The acorn poem "Little by little," the acorn said,As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,"I am improving every day,Hidden deep in the earth away."Little by little each day it grew;Little by little it sipped the dew;Downward it sent out a threadlike root;Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot,Day after day, and year after year,Little by little the leaves appear;And the slender branches spread far & wide,Till the mighty oak is the forest's pride.

35. Acorn Cont’d • Little by little," said the thoughtful boy,"Moment by moment, I'll well employ,Learning a little every day,And not misspending my time in play;Whatever I do I will do it well.Little by little, I'll learn to knowThe treasured wisdom of long ago;And one of these days, perhaps, will seeThat the world will be the better for me."

36. Why include nature?

37. Children and nature Practical activity ideas

38. History: Adventurer Program • In order to help children learn more about the Bible, health, and nature, and to help them develop their people skills,

39. adventurer class work My World: To enable the children to encounter God’s world with confidence and compassion. The World Of Nature • God and nature, nature study, nature recreation, concern for the environment

40. Ask the tree, “Who are you?”

41. Texture Scavenger Hunt Take a nature walk. Find different textures furry mossprickly pine needlessmooth flower budswaxy evergreen leavesrough tree rootssilky flower petalssoggy decomposing leavesbrittle twigs flexible grasses sticky tree saplacy skeleton leaves

42. Miniature Scavenger Hunt • Provide a small container • Ask the children to fit as many different natural things inside as possible. • Search for a seed, a blade of grass, a pine needle, a tiny stone, a small leaf etc. • After about 20 minutes all come together and compare objects you each found.

43. Alphabet Nature Hunt Spot items that begin with the different letters of the alphabet eg acorn, beetle/berries, catkin, dead tree etc

44. Treasures from your Imagination How about using ideas from a storybook or film or Bible story, i.e. David’s stones, Moses’ staff, Peter Rabbit’s hole. Such imaginings could lead to the discovery of all sorts of wonderful treasures.

45. Observations • Themes • Differences • Sameness • Changes • Senses (hearing, smell)

46. Using senses • Raccoon fingers • Doggie nose • Deer ears • Eagle eyes • (“Coyote’s Guide to connecting with nature”)

47. The environment • Projects – clean up, improve • Visit same spot in different seasons • Who is responsible for the environment?

48. Sample websites • www.naturebag.com • www.childnature.ca • http://www.childrenandnature.org/ • http://www.outdoor-nature-child.com/