Why do we value nature as the context for play?
Nature is open-ended and provides endless "loose parts" for play and exploration with all of the senses. Open-ended features in play materials allow for the child to act upon the environment in a variety of ways. The same materials can then support development along a wide continuum, from infancy to preschool and beyond. Variability in materials allows for enhanced creativity and other higher order cognitive skills (problem-solving, flexibility, representational thought, etc.).
Play in nature supports a strong connection to the natural world. This is one of the best ways to help our children establish a bond with nature, which in turn will help them become the future stewards of our planet. They are more likely to protect what they love.
Nature is a source of resilience and emotional regulation for children and adults. Just being in nature provides a balanced array of stimuli that can be very soothing to our nervous systems. We are designed to exist within the context of the greater natural world. If we feel safe and connected and at peace within this setting, we will be able to draw on it when we most need its regulatory properties. Many times, it's the ideal setting to support children who struggle in more traditional spaces that have lots of noise, bright lights, and other overwhelming sensory input.
