Art and Nature have been shown to reduce stress and increase creativity. Children build an understanding of the world around them with every new texture, sensation, and item they discover. This is beneficial to development because it actually helps to form neural connections in their brains, which enables them to learn even more. There are many ways to help our children connect with nature and increase their creativity. 

How Art Reduces Stress

• Flow- Children can become completely engaged in an activity to the point of being in a near-meditative state. This helps them forget about their thoughts and lose track of time.
  Mindfulness- Art can help us be fully in the present moment. It’s a chance to quiet the mind and become more focused on the task at hand.
• Self-Care- Hobbies that we enjoy help us to feel more balanced and allow for mental and emotional downtime.

Ways to Harness Nature Art Creativity 

• Observe the environment- Allow them to observe the different plants in and around the house, or the animals that come to visit. Observe the environment by noticing the shape of the clouds, sunrise, sunsets as well as the moon and stars. Collect flowers, stones, branches and leaves from the ground. Identifying textures and shapes like this is good for brain development.

• Explore Unique Art Materials– Introduce leaves, flowers, and sticks to swirl and mash paint to create their masterpiece instead of the usual paintbrush. Working with natural objects allows children to explore their different textures, shapes, and colors while building fine-motor skills. 
• Mindful Coloring- Not all children are ready or in the mood to draw or paint. Try starting them out with some mindful nature coloring. You can look for coloring books filled with images of flowers, trees and animals.

Nature is filled with so much beauty to spark creativity in our children. Combining nature and art with discussions of planet resources and how things are made can also lead to more awareness of their surrounding environment.