Tammy Schamuhn | June 23rd, 2025

In our fast-paced, always-connected world, it’s becoming increasingly rare to see children climbing trees, digging in the dirt, or lying in the grass watching clouds drift by. Today’s children spend more hours indoors than any generation before them — often glued to screens or shuttled between tightly scheduled activities. Yet nature remains one of the most powerful, accessible, and cost-effective supports for mental health that we have.

At the Institute of Child Psychology, we are deeply committed to reminding families, educators, and communities that reconnecting children with the outdoors is not a nostalgic idea — it’s a necessity for healthy development.

The Science: Green Space is Good for Young Minds

Over the last two decades, research has painted a clear and compelling picture: access to green space supports children’s mental and emotional health in profound ways.

A large-scale Danish study published in Nature Sustainability tracked over 900,000 children and found that those who grew up with more green space around their homes had up to a 55% lower risk of developing mental health disorders later in life (Engemann et al., 2019).

Another review in Frontiers in Psychology highlighted that nature exposure is linked to:

• Reduced stress and lower cortisol levels

• Decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression

• Improved attention and reduced ADHD symptoms

• Better social skills and cooperation

• Higher overall life satisfaction (Tillmann et al., 2018).

This is not just about parks and forests. Even small daily interactions with nature — a backyard garden, neighborhood trees, or a schoolyard with green areas — can make a difference.

How Nature Nurtures a Child’s Brain and Emotions

So, what makes nature so powerful?

It resets the nervous system. Natural settings lower the brain’s stress response, calming the amygdala — the brain’s alarm system — and helping children recover from the overwhelm of busy environments and digital noise.

It boosts focus and executive function. Green spaces give the brain’s attention system a break, which restores a child’s capacity to concentrate and self-regulate.

It encourages movement and exploration. Climbing rocks, balancing on logs, or running through a field naturally develop gross motor skills, balance, and confidence.

It sparks creativity and curiosity. Unstructured time outdoors invites children to invent games, observe insects, or build forts — fostering problem-solving and flexible thinking.

It deepens connection. Children who spend time outdoors develop a sense of wonder and stewardship for the world, which builds empathy and a sense of belonging.

The Cost of Staying Indoors

Unfortunately, as outdoor playtime shrinks, we see rising rates of anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties in young people. Some experts argue that nature deficit is a hidden factor fueling this mental health crisis.

When children’s days are dominated by screens and indoor routines, they miss out on sensory experiences that regulate the body and soothe the mind: feeling wind on their face, hearing birdsong, or smelling fresh soil. Without these grounding moments, stress can accumulate in their little bodies and brains.

Simple Ways to Bring Nature Back Into Daily Life

The good news is that reconnecting with nature doesn’t have to mean moving to the countryside or planning elaborate camping trips. Small, consistent moments outside add up. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Make outdoor time non-negotiable. Treat it like brushing teeth — part of the daily routine, rain or shine.
• Go slow and stay present. Try “slow walks” where the goal isn’t distance but discovery. Let your child stop to watch ants or pick up interesting leaves.
• Create a green nook at home. If you don’t have access to a yard, consider houseplants, a balcony garden, or a window box — tending to living things calms the mind.
• Eat meals outside when possible. Breakfast on the porch or a simple picnic in the park makes ordinary moments restorative.
• Let kids get dirty. Mud pies, puddle jumping, and sandcastles provide sensory play that soothes the nervous system.
• Explore local nature spots. Visit botanical gardens, nature trails, riversides, or urban greenways. Changing scenery keeps outdoor time interesting.
• Model a love for nature. Children learn by watching adults. Put down your phone, breathe deeply, and show them how good it feels to be outside.

Let Nature Work Its Quiet Magic

Every hour your child spends outdoors helps build resilience, calm their mind, and remind them (and us) that the world is bigger, wilder, and more beautiful than a screen could ever show. By reconnecting children with green spaces, we are giving them a gift that supports healthy brain development, emotional balance, and a lifelong sense of wonder.

At the Institute of Child Psychology, we encourage families to step outside, embrace the fresh air, and rediscover the simple power of nature together.

Tammy Schamuhn, M.Sc., B.Ed, RPT-S 

Tammy is a Registered Psychologist, best-selling author,  Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Co-Founder of the Institute of Child Psychology, and Founder of the Child- Centered Animal Assisted Therapy Association.  Tammy offers training in animal-assisted therapy at her ranch in Canada (www.hoovesofhoperanch.com). Visit www.ccaata.com to learn more.