Why Nature Must Matter for Children and Early Years Education

Take a look around– concrete high-rises dominate our skylines, and even the courtyards of upscale developments are often little more than hard brick and stone. Where, then, are children expected to explore, play, and connect with the natural world?

Children need nature. They instinctively know the benefits of connecting with nature, yet we have replaced these experiences with technology and structured indoor lives. Childhood is no longer synonymous with unsupervised outdoor play, with the freedom to navigate the weather, build resilience,  and gain confidence in the world around them.

At this year’s Autumn Conference, the Green Party announced a bold plan to transform our relationship with nature, including a new Rights of Nature Act that would give legal personhood to the natural world. This timely initiative is crucial when so many children today have limited access to green spaces. The Act proposes clear standards for soil quality, the phasing out of harmful pesticides such as glyphosate, and rigorous testing to ensure no harm comes to bees, butterflies, or other wildlife. Alongside this was a separate Climate and Nature Act and also a Clean Air Act, which represents a joined-up approach to tackling the ecological emergency we face.

Henry Beston, the American naturalist, put it beautifully:

When the wind in the grass is no longer part of the human spirit… man becomes, as it were, a kind of cosmic outlaw.

In other words, life without nature makes us inhuman.

Richard Louv highlights the modern child’s nature deficit and calls for a daily dose of Vitamin N. My own experience writing Gardening in Nurseries was inspired by my daughter, a passionate permaculturist, who showed me how deeply sustainability, respect for the environment, and nature are intertwined. These lessons are vital for our children: spending time outdoors nurtures their connection to the world and fosters curiosity, empathy, and resilience.

Research consistently shows that nature is central to children’s development:

• Builds SPICE capacities: social, physical, intellectual, communication, and emotional
• Supports creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual growth (Kellert, 2005)
• Improves cognitive functioning, eyesight, nutrition, self-discipline, and reduces stress
• Strengthens human care for the environment, creating a virtuous circle of empathy and responsibility

Connecting children with nature can be simple: gardening, forest schools, nature walks, and indoor plants can all foster engagement. University of Rochester research found that nature encourages more caring, social behaviour, and stronger relationships.

As R. White observes, “If children’s developing sense of self becomes disconnected from the natural world, then nature comes to be seen as something to be controlled or dominated rather than loved and preserved.”