Helping Children Achieve Happiness through Nature

Helping Children Achieve Happiness

It may be the desire of a parent to help his children achieve happiness, and it is a noble duty. Children may be one of the most precious things that a parent has in his life, and it’s only natural that he may want to take part in the children’s lives in positive ways. It is possible that helping a child achieve happiness may not be the easiest thing in the world as a parent may have to control the environment in which the child is exposed. Furthermore, it is a task that may be outside of a parent’s control. However, there are environments in which a parent can take his child to encourage peaceful and tranquil development. One of these environments is a natural one, surrounded by trees, plants, fields and water.

The Environment of Nature

It is possible that humans are inherently wired to love the presence of greenery and water, as it was once man’s natural environment. For this reason, children may also feel a sort of closeness to nature that busy playgrounds cannot provide. A parent may take his children to a forest, park or clearing where they are brought closer to trees, plants and other elements of nature.

Being close to the environment is known to achieve a sense of peace among many people. A reduction in the hormone called cortisol may occur, allowing for the alleviation of stress, anxiety and other negative emotions. Children may receive this benefit as well, as nature may provide them with a way to remove the negative emotions they may feel. Once introduced to nature, children may wish to seek the presence of trees, plants and water to alleviate any distress they may feel.

Occupational therapists may also encourage the closeness of children and nature, as they are ideal supplements for disability support services such as speech therapy services and counselling.

Nature at Home

There may be a time when a parent would be too occupied with his profession or other commitments that it may not be possible to take his children to forests or other sources of nature. To counter this, the parent may instil a sense of nature in his home. This can be done through the establishment of gardens or greenhouses. Children would then be allowed to visit the greenery in the confines of their own homes.

Having a garden or greenhouse at home can be beneficial for the parent and his children. Aside from the benefit of having a floral environment close to home, children may also be taught how to responsibly take care of plants. Gardening is an activity that may teach children the value of life, growth and development as they take care of the prized greenery. Children may be given duties to take care of certain plants, as well as giving them specific tasks that must be done at specific times of the day. Occupational therapists may also support having a garden in one’s home if a child is undergoing disability support services such as speech therapy services or counselling.