Embracing the Uncomfortable!
Embracing the Uncomfortable: How Weather, Sensory Experiences, and New Challenges Build Resilient Kids
As parents and educators, it’s easy to find excuses when faced with uncomfortable situations: "It’s too hot,” “It’s too cold,” “I’m too tired,” or “It’s too wet.” We’ve all felt the urge to retreat to comfort. But when we model for our children that it’s okay to go out in any weather, we show them that discomfort is just a natural part of life. Today at Nature Play, it was a sweltering 30 degrees, yet our families showed their children that even in the heat, they could still enjoy and engage with nature. When children see us embracing challenges, they learn that they, too, can do hard things. We are their heroes and their first teachers, shaping how they approach discomfort and building their resilience.
Learning from Nature: Endurance, Stamina, and Adaptability
When children experience the full range of weather—windy, hot, cold, rainy—they not only witness the changes in nature but also discover how their bodies react to different conditions. These experiences are building blocks for life skills like endurance, stamina, and resilience. Feeling the prickling sensation of cold or the energy of wind teaches kids how to listen to their bodies and adapt. These moments build an inner confidence that says, “I can handle this,” a skill they’ll draw upon time and time again.
Sensory Exploration: The Power of New Textures and Sounds
Encountering discomfort doesn’t just mean feeling weather extremes—it’s also about sensory exploration. Imagine a child’s first time digging hands into sticky mud, feeling the sharpness of tree bark, or hearing the whoosh of a strong wind. While these sensations might make them pause, experiencing new textures and sounds teaches them that unfamiliar feelings are not something to avoid but something to explore. Over time, they gain confidence in navigating the physical world, embracing curiosity rather than hesitation.
Embracing Emotional Discomfort: Building Emotional Resilience
Children also encounter discomfort on an emotional level. It might be dealing with the loud noise of a storm or a feeling of separation anxiety. When we allow them to face these situations rather than immediately shielding them, they learn that these emotions are manageable. They develop the tools to regulate their responses and face situations that might make them uneasy, helping to build emotional resilience. By normalizing these moments, we equip them to handle bigger emotional challenges as they grow.
Setting Them Up for Lifelong Resilience
Australian hiker Andrew Dwyer once said that clients who spent time outdoors, without relying on air conditioning or conveniences, were often the ones with the most resilience and stamina. These individuals, used to facing the elements and discomfort, could adapt and endure. When we encourage our children to embrace a little discomfort in safe, supervised ways, we’re laying a foundation for a similar kind of resilience. They learn that discomfort is temporary, a natural part of life’s experiences, and that they have what it takes to handle it.
In a world where comfort is often the goal, we have the chance to show children that they are capable of so much more. Through each windy day, hot afternoon, or muddy adventure, we’re teaching them to embrace the world around them with curiosity, adaptability, and strength. They’ll carry these lessons forward, ready to take on life’s challenges and thrive.
