Pediatricians and nature experts Pooja Sarin Tandon and Danette Swanson Glassy make the convincing case that children and families will be happier, healthier, and more resilient when they spend time in nature. They offer a wealth of suggestions for nature-based activities and suggestions for overcoming common challenges busy families face when trying to increase their outdoor time. The authors address the importance of nature for children’ s health at every age from infancy through adolescence and link their suggested activities to key developmental milestones. Digging Into Nature takes an inclusive approach, providing practical tips for parents of children with special health care needs, chronic health conditions, and cultural considerations to help all children reap the gifts that the great outdoors offer.

Danette Swanson Glassy, MD, FAAP, is a primary care pediatrician and child advocate. She is the co-founder and board president of the not-for-profit BestStart Washington and leads it’ s Project Nature initiative– a program to support pediatric medical providers as they encourage children to spend time in nature. She is the co-editor of Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 4th edition. Dr. Glassy lives in the Seattle area and enjoys exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest with her 2 grandchildren. Pooja Sarin Tandon, MD, MPH, FAAP, is a general pediatrician and researcher at the Seattle Children’ s Research Institute, associate professor at the University of Washington’ s School of Medicine, and Director of Health at the Trust for Public Land. She has published widely on the importance of physical activity, outdoor time, and nature contact for health.  She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two children. Danette Swanson Glassy, MD, FAAP, is a primary care pediatrician and child advocate. She is the co-founder and board president of the not-for-profit BestStart Washington and leads it’ s Project Nature initiative– a program to support pediatric medical providers as they encourage children to spend time in nature. She is the co-editor of Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards; Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 4th edition. Dr. Glassy lives in the Seattle area and enjoys exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest with her 2 grandchildren.

Introduction Chapter 1 – Nurtured by Nature Chapter 2 – The Benefits of Nature Contact Chapter 3 – Everyone Belongs in Nature Chapter 4 – Nature and Children with Special Health Care Needs Chapter 5 – Nature for Infants and Toddlers Chapter 6 – Nature for Preschoolers Chapter 7 - Nature for School Age Child Chapter 8 – Nature for Teens Chapter 9 – Early Childhood Education, K-12 School, Sports, and Youth Organizations