Children and Nature: Why Kids Need to Play Outdoors

Waldorf teacher Sarah Baldwin discusses the importance of outdoor play for children, and the importance of avoiding "nature deficit disorder" with kids on this month's ‪@SundaywithSarah‬ . Sarah offers tips on helping children connect with nature, even if you live in a city.

[@LoganAllec]

Just closed on a house with a much bigger lot than our previous house…big dirt area, big grass area, garden, swimming pool…we move in Wednesday! We’ve been going over there every day and the kids have been loving all the space.

[@mamaof2528]

I’m so glad that you’re back! We live in the middle of a big city, my kids go to a Waldorf school and we participate in 1,000 hours outdoors every year. Thank you for this video and all that you do!

[@SundaywithSarah]

Aww, thank you, Mama! How wonderful for your children to go to a Waldorf school AND to spend 1,000 hours outdoors! ❤🌳

[@mollyaitken4399]

My son is starting an all outdoor woodland kindergarten. I am so excited for him. Naps are outside even in the depths of winter. It's going to be wonderful for him. We don't have a garden, just a little yard where we grow herbs and flowers but I want him to have much more.

[@robertbateman5315]

Yes! Super happy you’re back! Love your sage parenting advice!

[@hollyjones5974]

Thank you!!! So glad you are back!!!!!

[@SundaywithSarah]

Thank you, Holly! I'm delighted to be back.

[@censoreverything8072]

Thank you again for all your videos, they’re always so educational and inspiring!

[@PazARoman]

Thank you so much for this. My almost 2 year is very much an outdoors child, she loves playing outdoors regardless of the weather and seasons. Her Steiner Playgroup educator really encourages and embraces her need to play outdoors which is lovely to see

[@bjornmaxson8268]

Hello paz, how're you doing today...

[@louisenaude4467]

I love your voice. And all the insights, I didn't realize I was a Waldorf mom😂

[@nendrianendria2706]

Thank you for your valuable thoughts! So glad you are doing these videos again, I find them very inspiring and encouraging.

[@SundaywithSarah]

Thank you for watching, Nendria, and for your kind comments. So glad that you are finding the videos helpful.❣

[@yc5000]

So grateful for these videos. There is a "Waldorf charter school" near me that I've been checking out but after further inspection, it very much seems like a school trying to disguise itself as waldorf. Kids get little outside time and class sizes are far too large for any one on one attention for anyone. I've decided on homeschooling with a little Waldorf flair and your videos have provided me with so much information. Thank you.

[@eightstars]

I love this video and find it so inspiring. I am trying so hard to get my daughter outside as often as possible. I struggle with depression so it’s hard to get outside sometimes but boy, when we do, do we all feel better ❤️ luckily, we’re going to the lake this week. Thanks for the great video

[@stephaniehenderson6631]

Natural daylight , exercise and time in nature are known to help with symptoms of depression. I am a sufferer myself and so I know well the struggle against the lethargy that commonly goes alongside depression, so well done Mama for courageously fighting the good fight 😃😃

[@hollywood7702]

In Sweden we have 'in any weather' kindergartens and even naptime and mealtimes are outside. =)

[@j.e.3470]

I'm so happy you're back. I've missed your videos.

[@SundaywithSarah]

Happy to be back!

[@AP-pb7br]

Thanks for this precious video. It seems nowadays children are always glued to a screen to keep them quiet. A request for the next: how to discipline children from infancy to adolescence. I could use your precious advice so much! I hope you'll consider it.

[@Casey_12735]

We love to go to the public school playgrounds after school gets out, on holidays and weekends (if you live in a city)

[@jaq6258]

I used to live in Austin before the big boom, and it was one of my favorite places because my niece and nephew loved the parks.

[@karinababy6557]

Would you recommend outdoor daycares that are 80 percent outdoors? I agree its important and vital for their mental health and physical as well. But im concerned about too much outdoor for toddlers

[@Sarah-vl4mq]

What are some good wool undergarments that you can suggest? Thank you kindly.

[@julchenk8407]

Thanks for that great video. We are fortunate to have a garden and my 3 year old plays outside every day. But we have one problem, that we cant get rid of: He is always killing the little animals like spiders, bugs, ... that he finds outside! We certainly don't and no matter what we are telling him, he keeps repeating it! What can we do to show him, that all the animals have to be treated with respect?

[@suzankhin4965]

I’m Suzan. Let me know about the job vacancy as a Waldorf teacher. Now, I am from Myanmar (Asia ) I start to learn Waldorf education and I m really interested in it.

[@marianaCegidio]

💚✨👏🏼

[@sequoia4520]

Hello. Can you kindly tell me if you are the company that sold children's books in Spring Valley, CA about 20 years ago? Thank you much!

[@hailhannahgail]

I know it’s not really the topics you really talk about but you look great! What do you use for skin care, etc?