Biodiversity

Biodiversity is important as it ensures the continuation of life within an environment. Every living thing on Earth is connected in some way to other living things. If one species becomes endangered or extinct, it will affect all of the other species. For example bees help pollinate wildflowers, without this pollination many of these plants would not produce seeds and grow, these plants are often the basis of complex food chains therefore other insects, birds and mammals would all suffer.

Natural places are singularly engaging, stimulating, life-enhancing environments where children can reach new depths of understanding about themselves, their abilities and their relationship with the world around them.

~ Tim Gill

Letting children go outside everyday to notice environmental changes and animal behaviour is so beneficial for them. Ofsted found that it improves the way children learn, both formally and informally. It gives them direct experience of the subject, making it more interesting and enhancing their understanding.
Other benefits from contact with nature and natural play include the reduction of the effects of childhood obesity, improved mental health and emotional well-being. For example, a report called COPING WITH ADD - The Surprising Connection to Green Play Settings noted that children with ADD showed improved engagement with learning and a reduced in their symptoms following contact with nature.

Activity Ideas

Ask your child if they know who they are sharing their outdoor play space with (birds, insects, butterflies) and if they know what type of environments these animals and creatures need to live.
Create an outdoor area that encourages biodiversity with your child.

Go on a "Hunt" in your garden or to a nearby park for mini-beasts. Use binoculars or use magnifying glasses to spot them.
Go on a wildflower hunt with your child and identify different types of flowers, try and work out which ones are native the U.K. You can use the country woodlands and town wildflower species spotter sheet.
Observe and talk about the life cycles of different animals such as caterpillars becoming butterflies.

Create a mini-beast hotel, a bee hotel or deadwood pile for beetles with your child. Talk about why we need to protect our plants and animals and create homes for them.