Our senses are how we take in the world and receive information about our surroundings! Sensory integration is how all of our senses work together to organize the information so we can effectively navigate our environment with success and ease. Children use all of their senses when they explore the forest! The more diverse sensory experiences your child has at an early age, the better! Why? Children need a multitude of diverse sensory experiences throughout their childhood to optimize their sensory integration and to not become overwhelmed by new stimuli. When children struggle with sensory processing, academic tasks or even wearing clothes can be stressful. 

The brain and body communicate constantly and need new sensory input to continue developing! Children have greater interest in learning when they can be hands-on! Research shows that they learn more when discovering while using many senses at once!  When the brain and body are symbiotic, children feel able to conquer the world as they explore without fear! Any dysregulation that takes place can be attributed to senses. 

Have you ever seen a child remove themselves from a group setting, covering their face or ears? What are they experiencing with the senses that are causing them to withdraw? Is there a different noise they have not yet experienced, new environment, bright lights, many moving bodies? What can you do to help the child PROCESS what is taking place around them?

Children with unique sensory needs or sensory processing issues especially benefit from significant time in the forest because of the natural, calming sensations that put their mind and body into a relaxed state. Others may need more time to transition to increased time outside, and need encouragement that the environment is safe for exploration and play. 

Nature has plenty of spaces for taking a break and calming the mind. For example, children are guided to take a break sitting against a strong tree. Trees can provide comfort and grounding for children who are feeling overstimulated or simply needing a rest from play. 

Additionally, children with underdeveloped sensory systems are more prone to injury, as they have less body awareness and balance. The forest can be considered an optimal sensory rich setting for children to strengthen their bodies and become more aware of keeping their body safe. Sensory rich environments include full body activities, or play that involves using many senses together. The forest provides many opportunities for sensory integration and development of all of the senses, including the vestibular and proprioceptive senses. 

We are constantly encouraging our FORESTplay groups to use all of their senses as they explore the forest terrain and make new discoveries! For example: 

• As Spring begins to arrive, we have been hearing more birds chirping, and seeing more birds’ nests. 
• As we venture through, we find many fallen trees and logs which are perfect for strengthening the vestibular senses. 
• Children work hard, using many muscle groups and balance on the logs with practice. 
• Some begin by crawling on the logs first and feeling the grooves or ridges as they go. 
• You can see the children actively taking in all of the details of the logs as they climb to ensure steadiness and effectively move their bodies. 

This brain body connection grows exponentially with increasing amounts of time spent in nature. Have you ever seen a child playing tag and running up to the person they are chasing, tagging them with a high amount of force, knocking them down without realizing what happened? Or a child holding an insect too tight by accident and hurting them? If so, they are likely not using their proprioceptive sense or need refinement in this area.

Children need to MOVE to build their brains! Movement ACTIVATES both sides of the brain and strengthens their pathways, allowing for stronger connections and communication with the body. The brain must be strengthened by movement and active play to be ready for academic learning and development of advanced skills. It’s no wonder that increasing amounts of research are showing the detrimental effects of limiting unstructured outdoor time for children and the many benefits of early connections to nature.  

Studies are showing that today children are spending more time in passive learning environments instead of free flowing, child-led learning settings. Freedom to move and play is essential for young children to learn how their bodies work and develop self-control, the foundation for later advanced cognitive processes. Freedom to move and explore promotes self-confidence and teaches children the world does not have to be feared. Why would we ever expect young children to sit and fill out worksheets? This is not what their brains and bodies need! Children need opportunities for CONNECTION to self, others, and nature to thrive!