Janice Arnoldi
Janice Arnoldi
Getting Kids Back to Nature
Getting Kids Back to Nature
Getting Kids Back to Nature
Thursday 9th May 2024
Adam Bienenstock discusses the importance of natural playgrounds for children's mental health and combating screen addiction.
25 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Janice Arnoldi
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Body & Mind
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Parenting & Children
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Episodes:
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Get the buttons here!Reconnecting Kids with Nature: A Chat with Adam Bienenstock
Episode Overview
- Natural playgrounds can significantly reduce children's anxiety and stress.
- Outdoor play stimulates all five senses, fostering empathy and resilience.
- Screen addiction is a growing concern impacting children's mental health.
- Natural elements in playgrounds encourage spontaneous social collaboration.
- Schools can improve student well-being by investing in natural play areas.
The reason why that worked that you could lick the, and it's different now, if you were to lick those monkey bars now, you would get a different response.
Imagine a world where kids spend less time glued to screens and more time playing in the dirt, climbing trees, and connecting with nature. In this episode of 'Life Unscripted - Stories of Mental Health and Addiction,' host Janice Arnoldi chats with Adam Bienenstock, the visionary behind Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds. Together, they explore the growing concern of cell phone addiction among children and its impact on their mental health and learning abilities.
Adam shares his unique journey from a horticulture enthusiast to a pioneer in creating natural playgrounds that encourage kids to interact with their environment in meaningful ways. Adam's story is both fascinating and inspiring. Growing up with a father who was a leading immunologist, Adam learned early on about the importance of getting dirty—literally. His father's research on the gut biome and stress highlighted how crucial it is for kids to play in natural settings.
Adam took these lessons to heart and built a company that designs playgrounds using natural elements like trees, rocks, and soil. The conversation touches on the alarming rise in screen time and its correlation with increased anxiety, stress, and behavioural issues in children. Adam passionately argues that the solution lies in creating environments that stimulate all five senses.
He shares compelling anecdotes, like the story of two kids—one agile like a gazelle, the other clumsy like a hippo—learning to climb a boulder together. This tale beautifully illustrates how natural playgrounds foster empathy, resilience, and spontaneous social collaboration among children. Janice and Adam also discuss the broader implications of natural playgrounds for mental health, particularly in schools and healthcare settings.
Adam reveals how these spaces can significantly reduce bullying, improve teacher attendance, and even aid in therapeutic settings for children dealing with severe stress and anxiety. This episode is a must-listen for anyone concerned about children's mental health and looking for innovative solutions to combat the digital addiction crisis. So why not take a break from your screen and get inspired by the incredible work being done to bring kids back to nature?