Top 5 ways nature can help children learn

There’s more to learning than what you get from books, or the all consuming screen. For one, Mother Nature herself. Here are the top 5 ways nature help your child learn:
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Restoring child’s attention
Attention is important for learning, but many kids,these days, have trouble paying attention in the classroom, because of distractions, mental fatigue, or ADHD. Spending time in nature - a walk in a park, tending to some home plants or even a view of nature out the window—helps restore kids’ attention, allowing them to concentrate and perform better on cognitive tests.

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Developing self-discipline
Many children—particularly those with ADHD—have trouble with impulse control, which can get in the way of school learning and social behavior. Making friends may get difficult too. Green space in kids’ rooms or by the desk will help them with more self-discipline and concentration. Kids who participate in outdoor activities show a drop in their ADHD symptoms.
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Promote social connection and creativity
Letting kids spend time with natural elements or giving them structured nature experiences can make for a calmer, socially safe, and fun learning environment. Being outdoors can also enhance peer-to-peer relationships and student/teacher relationships.

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Increase physical fitness
While physical fitness is essential for children for many reasons, its role in learning may not immediately come to mind. In particular, cardiorespiratory fitness seems to support efficient cognitive processing, and kids with higher fitness levels do better academically.

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Boost motivation
Studies show that learning in nature may improve motivation most in those students who are least motivated in traditional classrooms. Experts believe these effects are due to nature's reliably positive effects on mood and lead to a general increased interest in school and reduced absenteeism.
