Reconnecting children with nature

Photo Credit | Tandi Dreyer (Mabalingwe Game Reserve guest)

"If children don't grow up knowing about nature and appreciating it, they will not understand it. And if they don't understand it, they won't protect it. And if they don't protect it, who will?"

- Sir David Attenborough

In an age where screens dominate childhood and concrete jungles have replaced natural ones, we're raising a generation increasingly disconnected from the wild spaces that shaped humanity for millennia. The glow of tablets has dimmed the wonder of starlit skies, and the ping of notifications has drowned out the call of the African fish eagle. But this disconnect comes at a cost, one that affects not just our children's understanding of the natural world, but their very development and wellbeing.

Children today spend an average of seven hours a day in front of screens, yet less than an hour outdoors. This shift has profound implications. Research consistently shows that children who spend time in nature demonstrate improved attention spans, enhanced creativity, reduced stress levels, and better physical health. They develop stronger problem solving skills and show greater emotional resilience. Nature isn't just a pleasant backdrop to childhood, it's a fundamental ingredient in healthy development.

The bushveld, in particular, offers something uniquely valuable. This is the landscape that whispers our origins, where the rhythm of life follows ancient patterns unchanged for thousands of years. Here, children can witness the delicate balance of ecosystems, understand their place in the web of life, and develop a sense of stewardship for the planet they'll inherit.

When children experience the bushveld, they learn lessons no classroom can replicate. They discover that water is precious by seeing animals gather at a waterhole. They understand food chains not through diagrams but by watching a hawk circle overhead. They learn patience waiting for a shy kudu to emerge from the thicket, and respect when keeping a safe distance from a grazing buffalo.

Perhaps most critically, we cannot expect our children to protect what they don't know or love. The conservation challenges facing Africa, from habitat loss to poaching to climate change, will require passionate, informed advocates in the generations to come. But how can we expect young people to care about saving wild spaces they've never experienced?

Every hour a child spends in the bush is an investment in conservation's future. Tracking spoor in the sand teaches them to look closely and notice more. And sitting in the early morning stillness, with crickets humming as the sky turns gold, roots in them a quiet respect that lasts forever.

The good news is that fostering this connection doesn't require expedition level planning. What it requires is opportunity, enthusiasm, and environments that make nature accessible and engaging for young minds. Children need spaces where they can explore safely, where their curiosity is encouraged, and where the experience is enriching without being overwhelming.

Interactive learning experiences work best for younger generations. Rather than passive observation, children thrive when they can engage actively with their environment, through guided discovery, age-appropriate activities, and programs designed to spark wonder while building knowledge.

This December, Mabalingwe Game Reserve is offering exactly this kind of opportunity through their specially designed entertainment program. With creative, active, and fun games throughout the month, we're keeping kids entertained while fostering that crucial connection with the bushveld. It's an approach that recognizes children learn best through play, and that the foundation of environmental stewardship is laid through joyful discovery.

When we teach our children about nature and the bushveld, we're not just filling their school holidays, we're shaping who they become. We're giving them tools for resilience, perspective on what matters, and membership in something larger than themselves.

So this season, consider giving your children the gift of the wild. Let them feel the dirt between their toes, let them learn the difference between a kudu and an impala, let them experience the profound peace of sunset in the African bush. It's not just an educational experience or a pleasant diversion, it's an investment in their future and the future of the wild places we all depend on.

The bushveld has been teaching its lessons for many years. Our children deserve the chance to learn them too.

Reception | reception@boschpoort.co.za

Website | https://www.mabalingwegamereserve.co.za/