I love to visit natural sources of water. Whether it be a lake, river, pond, or stream, I’m game.

I think that naturally, our children feel the same way. There is something sacred about visiting a body of water.

Earlier today, I read an article from PsyPost that stated:

“A study conducted in Austria found that individuals who were exposed to blue spaces (such as coasts, rivers, and lakes) during childhood tend to feel more connected to nature as adults. This stronger connection to nature, in turn, is linked to more frequent visits to both blue and green spaces (such as parks, forests, and meadows) in adulthood, and a greater likelihood of engaging in pro-environmental behaviors. The research was published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.”

I definitely found this research to be encouraging. Especially since we were on our way to visit a stream at a nearby park later in the day.

We visit this particular stream almost weekly, and everyone in my family looks forward to it. Even when the weather grows colder, my children happily play at its banks.

Water is essential to life, and humans are drawn to it. We always have been. If we can find ways to make sure our children regularly encounter natural waterways, it can have a very positive effect on their well being.

Not only does being around water make us feel intrinsically safe and provided for, it promotes a love for the environment. The more our children are exposed to water (in a safe way, of course), the better.

There is something about water that makes us feel connected to the environment and want to care for it. I think this is because our bodies contain so much water to begin with. Visiting water awakens a desire within us to care for our world.

Visiting a natural body of water doesn’t have to be expensive. I’m a huge fan of parks. We visit them regularly, and they don’t cost us a thing.

When we can, we visit state parks in Tennessee. They are absolutely free, without any parking fees!

When we arrived at the park later in the day, we watched yellow leaves gently fall into the flowing water. The stream glistened as they floated past. My children stood by the water’s edge, happy and at peace.

It was a good day. We will be back, soon!