In these times of uncertainty and transition, spending time in nature can support us in surprising ways. Nature gives us an opportunity to get to a place where we can be ourselves. This transition can sometimes go unnoticed – it can be a gentle drifting to a more connected place. I bet you have experienced this for yourself: it’s a quieting of our day to day distractions, a release of our lists of “should-dos” and a softening of external pressures. We begin tuning into the natural world, which our bodies and senses have evolved over generations to do. So as our families transition back to school, remember nature is transitioning along side us and offering us a gentler place to be ourselves.

Whether I’m heading out into nature on my own, with my family or leading a family nature program, one simple truth is always revealed: Away from day to day distractions, time in nature can lead us to a more connected place. This truth especially stands out when I’ve arrived in nature feeling rushed, or with building family tensions or maybe feeling overwhelmed in some way. The grounding effect of feeling more connected influences my play experiences with my family in positive ways — leading to more presence in the experiences and sharing more. More reflection on this experience and how a sense of connection is important in our family play experiences is available on the following Urban Wild blog posts: From Tension to Cooperation and Snow Bridges and Nature’s Metaphors