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Get Outside! 4 Reasons Why Children Need to Explore the Natural World

It's no secret that children love the outdoors, but modern families have few opportunities to experience the natural outside setting. Most quality child care centers have outdoor playgrounds for children to burn off their excess energy, but that isn't the same thing as going out and exploring a nature trail near a park or learning about growing food in a garden.

There are many who believe that exploring the natural world is just as important to toddler care and preschool as time spent in the classroom, and we agree. Here are just a few reasons why.

1.Improved Physical Fitness

Simply being outside may encourage children to be more active. Granted, a playground can give a child plenty of chances to get exercise, but exploring the natural world and seeing things they might not see every day will encourage a child to explore and enjoy being outside. They will want to spend more time outdoors in order to experience new things, which will lead to them becoming more physically fit.

2.  Improved Nutrition

Not only does exploring the natural world encourage children to be more physically fit, but it can improve their nutrition. School gardens are popular projects when it comes to preschool and child care. They teach children the steps it takes to grow their own fruits and vegetables and give them the chance to see where much of their food comes from.

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3. Reduced Stress

It should come as no surprise that being outdoors reduces stress in many children as well as adults. This is usually accomplished on playgrounds during recess, but it can be far more effective to simply spend some time exploring nature. The natural world is soothing to adults, and it can be just what a restless or stressed out child needs to feel more relaxed. 

4.Improved Focus

Being outdoors and in the natural world can help a child focus and improve their cognitive abilities. In some cases, daily exposure to nature has even shown to improve symptoms of ADHD in children as young as five years old. 

These are just a few of the benefits of spending more time in the natural outdoor setting with your children. As important as it is to spend time in the classroom and play indoors, any quality child care setting should involve spending some time outdoors in nature. This is exactly what we offer at Tender Care Learning Centers. If you would like to learn more about our quality child care, contact us today to schedule a visit.

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Tender Care Accreditations

Tender Care is a Pennsylvania state-licensed child care and early childhood learning organization, an accredited member of NAEYC, PennAEYC, CAEYC, HAEYC, and PACCA, and is Keystone STARS rated.

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Accreditation

Tender Care Learning Centers has committed to accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) as the measurement of our program excellence. NAEYC is the nation’s largest and most influential organization of early childhood educators, and is dedicated to improving programs for children from birth through third grade. NAEYC sets the standards for quality childcare and education in America, with an emphasis placed on the quality of interactions among teachers and children and the developmental appropriateness of the curriculum.

Keystone STARS (PA only)

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The Keystone STARS program validates what Tender Care Learning Centers have been doing for many years. Your child's Early Education is critical to his/her development and future success in school and life. Keystone STARS sets requirements for early childhood educators to promote the best learning environment and safest setting possible for your child. As a parent, feel confident your child is safe and respected, is learning new things every day, and is well prepared for future success in life.

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