Natural Start

 

In their new book, Digging into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids, out October 15, 2024, pediatricians and nature experts Dr. Pooja Sarin Tandon and Dr. Danette Swanson Glassy make the convincing case that children and families will be happier, healthier, and more resilient when they spend time in nature.

 

During a webinar on November 13, 2024, Dr. Tandon and Dr. Glassy offered a wealth of suggestions for nature-based activities and suggestions for overcoming common challenges busy families face when trying to increase their outdoor time. The authors addressed the importance of nature for children’s health at every age from infancy through adolescence and linked their suggested activities to key developmental milestones.

 

Watch the webinar recording to learn practical tips for parents and educators, with tips for including children with special health care needs, chronic health conditions, and cultural considerations to help all children reap the gifts that the great outdoors offer.  

 

Watch the Recording: https://youtu.be/0XS7D60wFIg 

View presentation slides here.

 

Additional Resources:

 

Resources on Risky and Unstructured Play

Canadian Paediatric Society position statement on risky play 

Balanced and Barefoort: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela Finochio 

 

Resources on Overcoming Barriers to Outdoor Engagement

6 Actions School Systems Can Take to Support Children’s Outdoor Learning  

Outside Play - Free Toolkit on How to Support Children’s Outdoor Play

Colour the Trails

 

Resources on Gear Libraries

Families in Nature Gear Library

Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library

Operation Warm 

 

Meet the Presenters

Pooja Sarin Tandon, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a general pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, an associate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and the director of health at the Trust for Public Land. She has published widely on the importance of physical activity, outdoor time, and nature contact for health. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and 2 children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danette Swanson Glassy, MD, FAAP, is a primary care pediatrician and child advocate. She is the cofounder and board president of the nonprofit BestStart Washington and leads its Project Nature initiative—a program to support pediatric medical professionals as they encourage children to spend time in nature. She is the coeditor of Caring for Our Children. Dr. Glassy lives in the Seattle area and enjoys exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest with her 2 grandchildren.