Research has indicated that children have a strong attraction to the great outdoors, purely because it is a source of never-ending stimulation. It stands to reason, then, that nature is undeniably one of the best teachers and most important factors in the growth of a child's EQ (emotional quotient) and IQ (intelligence quotient).

Learning from nature
A new branch of psychology, aptly dubbed eco-psychology, concentrates specifically on the effect of nature on human development. It has recently come up with the idea that we are all genetically programmed to have a strong attraction or affinity to nature.

It wasn't that long ago that man existed largely outdoors as hunter-gatherers, living off the riches of the land. This innate appreciation of nature's resources seems entrenched in our psyche and children appear to be remarkably conscious of this tenuous relationship, even though man is moving further and further away from a natural environment.

Improved IQ
There is concrete evidence that living in pleasing natural environments like golf estates, national parks, botanical gardens and small holdings improves children's information recall dramatically and leads to creative problem solving as well as an increase in creativity across the board.

A child's attraction to nature also has to do with the fact that the natural environment gives them the opportunity to learn independently of adults and with almost complete autonomy (bar being watched over by adults for their protection, of course). This is an important lesson to learn and they love discovering the wonders of the family estate, golf property, nearby park or rural farmland without the interference of 'big people' sometimes.

EQ Exploration
On the other hand, children can learn good social skills by observing nature, as most creatures work in team and interact with one another, much in the same way socially healthy children and adults do.

The peace and tranquility of the great outdoors can also assist in your child's emotional and spiritual growth and stability, as they feel safe in their environment as well as with their parents. This tranquility is particularly valuable to children who have been through a difficult set of circumstances.

In addition, fresh air and lots of room to roam is beneficial to your child's health if they are encouraged to enjoy and make the best use of nature for exploration and physical activity.

Quite simply, encouraging their emotional, spiritual and intellectual capacity is crucial in the maturation of a well-rounded child and this kind of tuition and growth should take place not only in the classroom but the natural environment as well.

There is no doubt that living on or near a protected natural environment will do wonders for your child's EQ, IQ and overall development.