We spend a lot of time indoors, to our detriment. Many of us know that we often see God clearly when we are outside, enjoying God’s creation. Cultivate that connection between God and the outdoors in your children by getting out of the house with your busy bodied kids.
Need convincing? Here are a few reasons to get outside today!
- By simply talking about what we see, we can help children understand that God is the creator of all this beauty. Observing a bird pulling a worm from the ground after a rain shower can be an opportunity to explain how God provides, giving birds seeds and worms and other things to eat. Watching leaves fluttering in the wind can suggest the metaphor of God’s presence—we can’t see God but we can see what God does.
- Getting outside can help rambunctious kids burn off some of their relentless energy. They are going to run around somewhere, so it might as well be outside!
- The outdoors is a natural classroom, filled with shapes, numbers, colors, and words. Count clouds or yellow flowers. Notice how many circles you see. How many different shades of green can you find?
- Children love what they know. We can build a sense of caring for God’s world by helping our children appreciate the beauty and goodness God made. By spending time outside, you’re helping your child develop an awareness of creation and the role we play in caring for it.
Even if you live in the city, getting outside to a park, or even taking time to notice ants crawling along the sidewalk can widen your child’s world and provide an opportunity to talk about the God who made and loves it all.
In God's Wonderful World, little ones will learn about their five senses and how they can explore God's world with them. To learn more about this charming board book, click here.
Originally Published 4/20/2017
