WAYS TO EXPAND TIME AND SPACE FOR KIDS AND ADULTS

Do you know what are the way to expand time and space for kids and adults ?

Many of us hunger for unscheduled free time in nature, with good reason. Research shows that when children play in natural spaces, they’re far more likely to invent their own games than in more structured settings — a key factor in becoming self-directed and inventive as children and later in life. In fact, creativity and learning throughout life can be stimulated by more time in nature. But here’s the paradox. To make time for unorganized time in nature, a busy family is probably going to have to organize a lot of it. Doing that with a sense of proportion and humor helps.

Put nature on the calendar. If you plan the family’s sports commitments and vacations in advance, do the same for time spent in nature. Try skipping organized sports for a season and use that time to get outside. That suggestion won’t work for everyone, but for busy families, taking time for nature requires taking time — and putting it on the calendar.

Practice “friluftsliv.” “Friluftsliv” is a Norwegian term, introduced in 1859, that roughly translates as “free air life.” It’s a general lifestyle idea that promotes outdoor activity as good for all aspects of human health. The protocol is pretty straightforward — just be outside as much as possible. Work it into your schedule by committing to being in nature for a minimum amount of time every day, or a certain number of days a month.

Think of nature time as enrichment time. Leisure is good. Of course! Play is essential. But our culture tends to dismiss independent play, leisure, and nature time as nonessential nice-to-haves. But in terms of child development, or human development at any age, nature time is as important as activities we now consider educational or developmental enrichment.

Turn your commute time into a nature safari. If you’re stuck in traffic, entertain yourself and your kids by keeping an eye out for plants, animals, or other natural curiosities on the side of the road. If you see something really intriguing, pull over and take a look. “We’ve pulled over more times than I can count because one of us spotted something worth watching. Cool cloud formations, gorgeous sunsets and make-you-smile rainbows. And the birds — oh, the birds — they never disappoint!” says one mother

Take a First Day Hike. New to hiking? No problem. State parks, many of them in urban areas or close by, offer hundreds of guided First Day Hikes (referring to the first day of January), to individuals and families with kids eight years old or older. For more information about the First Day Hike program, go to AmericanHiking.org.

Walk this way. On their first hike, younger children can enjoy playing a game called “walk this way” — imitating different animals along the way. Bring toys and props that will make it more fun, like hats and fake swords. Walkie-talkies are also a big hit. Encourage kids to take turns as “hike leader,” walking in front and setting the pace. To help kids pay attention during longer hikes, play find ten critters — which means discovering footprints or other signs of an animal passing through. Recommended book: The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids

Go on a moon walk. Take a family walk when the moon is full. Cindy Ross is a longtime devotee of full-moon walks. “We’ve walked by balmy summer moons in T-shirts, with katydids singing and lightning bugs flashing in a multi-sensory display.” But the best moon walks, she says, are under the winter moons. “I started out going on full moon walks for myself . . . but I also did it for my children, so they would grow up to realize there is much magic in the natural world and most of it is free.” Bring a flashlight, of course, but it’s important to turn it off sometimes and let your senses emerge and adjust. Listen for animal sounds (a whole new crew is out at night), watch for the silhouettes of owls and bats looking for prey, and keep your eye out for life that glows, including glow worms and fungus on trees

Set a star date. If your family is lucky enough to live where the stars are visible, stargaze in the evening or very early morning. In the yard, from a balcony, or out beyond the city lights, take a blanket, binoculars, or small telescope, and stargaze together. With your kids, locate a few key constellations and orient to those. Air and light pollution prevent two-thirds of the U.S. population and more than half of Europe’s population from seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. Schools, sky-watcher groups, amateur meteorologists, and even star charts in our smartphones can help. Good resources include For Spacious Skies, a sky-awareness program, and Dark Sky Initiative, which works to preserve and protect the nighttime environment.

Lose the cell phone; get a better connection. Tech isn’t the enemy, but it can certainly be a barrier. Vow to leave your cell phone in your pocket, ringer off, as well as all the beeps, tweets, and repeats, so you’re more present to your child. Limit access to texting, computers, and TV part of the day or week. For example, schedule Saturday as a “Smartphone and iPad-Free Outdoor Play Day” for the kids and the parents as well (more about that later).

 Play hooky. That’s right. Hooky, preferably with the teacher’s permission. In his book, Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path, Ben Hewitt suggests that parents of school-aged children “take them out of school for a day.” And take the day off work yourself. He suggests unplugging all screens at home and, for at least part of the day, heading for the woods, a park, the middle of a hayfield, with no agenda.