Benefits of Nature for Kids

Intellectual (智力的) benefits

【小题1】 Children are natural scientists and love to experience the sights, scents (气味), and sounds of the outdoors. Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, and STEM education. Getting close to natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experiment with ideas.

Emotional benefits

Being outside feels good. Children are free to explore and make noise — all delightful forms of self­expression that are often restricted (限制) indoors. 【小题2】 Furthermore, nature develops a sense of peace and often brings out caring qualities in children. Many energetic children stop to dig a hole in the sand.

Social benefits

【小题3】 In nature, children can play alone or connect with one another, and learn to share. Often, when involved in the natural world, even active children may slow down and learn to focus on being gentle. They also may reach out to comfort a friend who seems hurt or sad.

Physical benefits

The fresh air of the natural world offers endless opportunities for physical activity, which, in turn, builds strong bodies. Besides, outdoor play allows a child to be more physically active than indoor play. 【小题4】　

Environmental benefits

In addition to the individual benefits gained by being connected to nature, there is a collective benefit shared by all of us. 【小题5】 In order to raise adults who are enthusiastic about protecting the environment, they must first develop a deep love for it. The only way to enable children to grow comfortable in nature is to open the door and let them out to explore the natural world.

When it comes to adopting a dog from a shelter, senior dogs are often overlooked favor of puppies. And while younger animals are often seen as cute, older pets have great charm, too—and they still have a lot of love to give!

In order to help get its elderly residents the attention they deserve, Florida-based Flagler Humane Society came up with a funny idea-dressing the older dogs in senior citizen clothes. The scarf dressed up their senior dogs as if they’re senior citizens for an adorable photoshoot. They worked together with their adoption specialist, who is a photographer, and carried out the great adoption promotion, to find a warm home for the senior dogs.

The final photos showed the adorable residents dressed in hats, wigs, and glasses. One dog, named Bambi, wore a wig, a beautiful scarf, and a purse. “She was so scared when she first came to us. It didn’t take her too long to get used to the staff, and we’d love to get her into a loving home as soon as possible,” said the Flagler Humane Society. “Don’t let her age impede you. Bambi is ready for walks, play, hug, and rolling in the grass wherever you are!” There’s also Kale, who was styled in a hat, glasses, and a baby blue sweater. “This sweet senior boy is looking for a second chance at the life he deserves,” said the shelter. “While he has some limits to his vision, it doesn’t stop him from being right next to his people and asking for all the love and affection he can get!”

All in all, the photoshoot was a success! All but three of the senior dogs have already been adopted.

Having worked in a nature reserve for 30 years, Hou Tiguo has developed a special ability—he can tell what kind of birds are around simply by their singing. “I can also tell whether they are happy or unhappy,” he added with a big smile.

The 52-year-old’s home, Baihualing, a village in Yunnan province, is well-known for the diversity of birds. He recalled, “In the 1970s, people were so poor. Birds were often targeted as food, so almost all the children including me in the village were good at using slingshots (弹弓).”

His life changed in 1989, when a couple hiking through the mountains visited Baihualing. They asked him to be their guide and lead them to good bird-watching spots. He said, “That was the first time I had made money from birds without killing them.”

Inspired by that, the villagers built a reserve to feed birds and protect the habitat (栖息地) of birds. In the decades that followed, more bird-watchers visited the village. The village became a popular destination for bird lovers, and most villagers have turned into bird protectors and engaged in serving bird-loving tourists.

In the village, there are more than 60 “bird guides” like Hou. More than 20 guesthouses which have hosted visitors from more than 100 countries bring in a total income of 15 million yuan every year. “During the peak season, I serve nearly 100 tourists a day. Thanks to the birds, our life is not what it used to be any more.” Hou said, adding that he takes his 3-year-old grandson with him every day to feed birds and teaches him to love and respect them.