What is a nurturing environment? The term denotes care and love for a growing human being, and creating an environment that supports that. Your whole family can benefit from such an environment. Here are some tips:
- Create a nurturing space in your home, on your porch, or in your yard (or all three!). The size does not really matter; the important thing is to make a space that is comfortable and peaceful.
Once you have established such a space (or spaces), the following tips will be easier to implement.
- Meet the physical needs of yourself and your family. Children have a need to move, and not meeting that need can result in difficult, hyper behavior. Adults need exercise, too. Spend time exercising together, preferably outdoors, whether it’s biking, gardening, or yard work.
Make use of simple objects, and that which you have on hand, to create a fun and playful haven that will be enjoyed by you and your children. Choose an activity that involves everyone to promote communication (essential to a nurturing environment).
- Meet your family’s nutritional needs and your own. Good nutrition is essential in the development of healthy, happy children and families. Focus on eating and preparing whole, organic foods as much as possible, and let the whole family participate in the food preparation.
If possible, it is incredibly rewarding in every way to grow your own food and let the whole family help with the process!
- Let nature nurture. It is such a simple concept that we all comprehend well, but it can be difficult to keep up with in our age of technological advancements and gadgets. Children love to be outside. Promote a nurturing environment by getting out, even if you have to travel to a park or state forest. If you have a nurturing space outside or on your porch, go there often.
- Listen. Children who feel heard are children who feel nurtured. Remember that children’s behavior is often communication – it means something. Try to “hear” what your child is saying with his or her behavior, and get to the root of the problem. For example, a “disobedient” child who keeps jumping on the couch after you have told him not to may have a need to bounce around and move.
You don’t need to bend on your rule – no jumping on the couch is no jumping on the couch – but find an alternative (trampoline? jump rope?) and nurture your child’s need.
- Eat together as a family. Gather around the table, and try to avoid the television at dinner time. This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to connect and compare notes about their day.
- Read together, including doing some reading in your nurturing space. Talk about the book, look at your surroundings, and take in the nurturing environment.