their observational skills,” says Leonard, who believes that nature walks with animal and plant sightings provide op- portunities for cognitive growth, not to mention vitamin D and oxygen. Kimberly Rodgers, also a licensed clinical social worker and the founder of Monarch Therapy, advises that her young clients, who spend a healthy amount of playtime outdoors, are better able to interact socially. In Rodgers’ experience, free play is essential to a child’s development. “While soccer practice, dance classes or piano lessons can provide children with opportunities to learn teamwork and self-discipline, they miss out on free play, where their imagination can soar and their creativ- ity can flow,” she advises. “I’ve noticed that children who enjoy unstructured playtime are more in tune with them- selves, nature and others.”
“Adults forget that, for children, it’s exciting simply to be outside,” says Smith, who lives in a master-planned development with zero lot lines. An ordinary retention pond lies behind the Smith home. “The kids get excited to go catch-and-release fishing in the pond, where they get to watch turtles sun themselves, ducks lay eggs, and duck- lings hatch. For them it’s just as exhila- rating as being at Corkscrew,” enthuses Smith, whose teaching degree gives her insight into child development. “I believe that my children are better balanced when they have the right mix of free play time; adventure thinking, which allows them to use their imagination; and TV/computer time,” explains Smith. “I tell them that playing outside makes their brain grow and, because they are little, bigger is always better,” she says with a chuckle. It’s a sound that mingles well with her children’s giggles as they explore the best of Mother Nature.
Wings of Change, The Moorings Presbyterian Church, Moss Hall, 791 Harbour Dr., Naples 34103. Call 239- 287-0810 or visit Wings-of-Change. com. See ad, page 46.
Monarch Therapy, LLC, Quail Plaza, 4500 Executive Dr., Ste. 105, Naples 34110. Call 239-687-8286 or visit
MonarchTherapy.com. See ad, page 45.
32 Collier/Lee Counties
swfl.naturalawakeningsmag.com
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