Outdoor Play Can Enhance Kids’ Spirituality

New research suggests playing outside for five-10 hours a week can increase a child’s spiritual connection with the environment.

Michigan State University investigators found children who spend significant time outdoors have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose than those who do not.

As discussed in the Journal of the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, children who played outside said they felt a connection with the earth, and felt their role is to protect it.

“These values are incredibly important to human development and well-being,” said Dr. Gretel Van Wieren, assistant professor of religious studies.

“We were surprised by the results. Before we did the study, we asked, ‘Is it just a myth that children have this deep connection with nature?’ But we found it to be true in pretty profound ways.”

For example, the children in her study expressed feelings of peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world around them.

They also reported feeling awestruck and humbled by nature’s power, such as storms, while also feeling happy and a sense of belonging in the world.

Investigators also measured children’s aesthetic values, finding that those who engage in free play outside on a regular basis have a deep appreciation for beauty (i.e., balance, symmetry, and color), order and wonder (i.e., curiosity, imagination, and creativity).

Van Wieren and co-researcher Dr. Stephen Kellert from Yale University, used a mix of research methods, including in-depth interviews, drawings, diaries, and observation, as well as conversations with parents.

Seven of the 10 children in the study — who were seven to eight years old — were from families with a Christian background.

The researchers also found parents of the children who expressed the highest affinity toward nature and the strongest spirituality spent significant time outdoors during their childhoods. And many of the parents believed such experiences shaped their adult lives and spirituality.

So what is it about nature?

“It offers a diverse display of colors, sights, and sounds; uncertainty; multisensory qualities; and above all, aliveness,” Van Wieren said. Nature is always in a state of flux, which fosters problem-solving opportunities that build self-confidence.

“But we could be in trouble if kids continue their technology habits,” she said.

“This is the first generation that’s significantly plugged in to a different extent and so what does this mean?” Van Wieren said.

“Modern life has created a distance between humans and nature that now we’re realizing isn’t good in a whole host of ways.

“So it’s a scary question: How will this affect our children and how are we going to respond?”

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About Rick Nauert PhD

Dr. Rick Nauert has over 25 years experience in clinical, administrative and academic healthcare. He is currently an associate professor for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals doctoral program in health promotion and wellness. Dr. Nauert began his career as a clinical physical therapist and served as a regional manager for a publicly traded multidisciplinary rehabilitation agency for 12 years. He has masters degrees in health-fitness management and healthcare administration and a doctoral degree from The University of Texas at Austin focused on health care informatics, health administration, health education and health policy. His research efforts included the area of telehealth with a specialty in disease management.