Today’s children and families often have limited opportunities to connect with the natural environment.
There are several benefits for schools who encourage their students to form eco clubs. The school can keep tabs on energy costs and can quickly spot irregularities and rises.
Students are also motivated to reduce their energy use at home as well as school, and inspired to come up with solutions.
Schools can encourage students to think creatively as they apply their knowledge to real, everyday thinking. Involving students in participation through real responsibilities improves self-esteem.
Nature Clubs for Families can be created in any neighborhood — whether inner city, suburban, or rural — and in any economic setting.
Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors.
Studies in the India show that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27%
Improves eyesight. More time spent outdoors is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness, also known as myopia, in children and adolescents.
Improves nutrition. Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables (Bell & Dyment, 2008) and to show higher levels of knowledge about nutrition (Waliczek, & Zajicek, 2006). They are also more likely to continue healthy eating habits throughout their lives.
