還在給小孩買玩具？看看戶外人是如何帶孩子玩戶外的吧
美國作家尼爾·唐納·沃許說過：「真正的人生始於你走出舒適區。」這句話，不僅適用於成年人，對於孩子來說，同樣適用。而戶外，從來都不是安逸的存在。在漂洋過海的異土大洲，戶外人是如何帶孩子玩戶外的？
一起走進今天的主人公——來自美國的Jesse Cunningham，看他和兩個孩子在戶外相處過程中，有哪些經驗可以與我們分享。
Jesse Cunningham
攝影師、野外生物學家，戶外教育工作者，登山指導以及戶外零售賣家和經理，他喜歡爬山，徒步，山地自行車和任何讓他在戶外活動的東西。
人若要成長，就要走出自己的舒適區。
我們經常和孩子們一起外出，積极參与是我們作為家庭成員的一部分。我們有2個孩子，一個4歲，一個7歲，他們幾乎每天步行或騎自行車去學前班和小學，我們周末和假期大部分時間都在戶外探險。因此，他們在很小的時候就學會了騎自行車、滑雪、徒步旅行和背包旅行。
其他父母問我們，是不是有讓孩子走出舒適區的秘訣，或者以為我們的孩子天生就對這些活動感興趣。秘訣就是我們不斷給他們機會，並花時間讓他們以自己的速度在這些活動中成長。
我和我的妻子有時候會耐心地投入幾個小時，有時卻不那麼耐心地指導他們，鼓勵他們，等待他們。孩子們花了幾個小時慢慢培養他們的技能和信心，並從他們的錯誤中吸取教訓。
我們過分簡化了這一複雜過程，不過過程的複雜性也正是它的價值所在。
作為父母，我們的首要任務是撫養孩子，讓他們最終自立。人若要成長就需要走出自己的舒適區，當人們走出自己的舒適區時，很多生活技都得以強化。有些孩子天生愛冒險，可能需要給予更多的管束，而有些孩子可能更不情願，需要更多的引導。
了解孩子、鼓勵孩子、在合適的時機以適當方式挑戰孩子，這些都是重要的技能。這一點，我們並不總是做得很好。但是，育兒這門科學並不完美，走出去做些事情好過什麼都不幹。
以下是一些讓你的孩子走出家門的小貼士:
● 在某些時候，他們會感到寒冷，炎熱，勞累，飢餓，或者有其他的抱怨。他們甚至可能會發脾氣或崩潰。但，我們不能因噎廢食。教他們解決問題，克服這些困難，建立起適應能力和應對能力，這對他們以後的生活大有裨益。
● 我們要讓孩子自己做選擇，並給予支持，同時讓他們預見到自己的行為可能帶來的後果。我們從失敗和錯誤中學到的東西比順境中多的多。他們會獲得自信，學會更加自力更生。
● 為你的孩子設定一些可實現的小挑戰。成功可以使他們增強信心，並激勵他們做更多事情。
● 保持樂趣，並順其自然。在必要時，要靈活，並願意改變計劃。必要時我們要靈活地改變自己的計劃。如果他們的體驗很好，那麼他們自然願意再次參加。步步緊逼只會適得其反。輕則他們可能會對這項活動產生厭惡感，重則將對其敬而遠之。
● 為你的孩子尋找探險的夥伴——那些喜歡做同樣活動的人。有一個旗鼓相當的夥伴，可以切磋技能，將很有樂趣；稍微的失衡，也是有益的。如果其他孩子比你的孩子稍微熟練一些，他們會激勵你的孩子跟隨並變得更好。如果你的孩子稍微熟練一些，他們可能會成為一個領導者或老師。這對於提升他們的自信和驕傲，技能和成就，是一個很好的方法。
● 有時候孩子們比我們認為得要更為堅毅。不要低估他們的能力，如果給予他們機會，我們可能會對他們取得的成就感到驚訝。
我自私地希望我們的孩子會繼續從事戶外活動，因為那是我喜歡做的事，但這不是必須的。我真正想要的是，讓他們找到他們所熱愛的事物並追求它。我相信通過在戶外活動獲得的技能和經驗將幫助他們成長為有韌性和自信的成年人，並最終幫助他們在他們選擇的道路上前進。
—Deuter兒童系列背包—
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小知識
英文原文
The Secret to Getting Children Outside (of their Comfort Zone) and Why it』s Important
Posted by Jesse Cunningham & Family in Ambassador, Deuter USA Blog Posts
We get outside with our children a lot. Being active is part of what we do as a family. Our children, ages 4 and 7, walk or ride bikes to pre-school and elementary school nearly every day and most of our weekends and vacations include outdoor adventures. As a result, our children have learned to ride bikes, ski, hike and backpack at an early age.
Other parents ask us what our secret is, or assume that our children are naturally more inclined toward these activities. The secret is that we repeatedly give them opportunities and take the time to allow them to grow in these activities at their own pace.
My wife and I have put in hours of time patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, guiding them, encouraging them and waiting for them. The kids have put in hours of time slowly building their skills and confidence, and also learning from their mistakes.
This is, of course, an oversimplification of a complex process. But what makes it complex is also what makes it rewarding.
As parents, our primary job is to foster growth and eventual independence. In order for growth to occur, people need to venture outside of their comfort zone. So many essential life skills are gained and reinforced when we do this. Some children are naturally more adventurous and may need to be given more boundaries and others may be more reluctant and need more coaxing.
Knowing your children, how to motivate them, and how and when to challenge them are all important skills. We don』t always execute it perfectly, but parenting is an imperfect science and getting out and doing something is better than nothing at all.
Here are a few tips to consider when getting your children outside:
At some point they are going to get cold, hot, tired, hungry, or have any number of other complaints. They may even have a tantrum or meltdown.Fear of this shouldn』t discourage you from taking your kids outside.Teaching them to problem solve and overcome these discomforts builds resilience and coping skills that will serve them well in life.
Give your children choices, support them, and let them see the consequences of their actions. We learn more by our failures and mistakes than when we are shielded from consequences. They will gain confidence and learn to be more self-reliant.
Set small achievable challenges for your children. When they succeed, it gives them confidence and motivates them to do more.
Keep things fun and don』t push too hard. Be flexible and willing to change plans when necessary. If it is a good experience they will want to do it again. If it』s not fun, or you are pushing your personal agenda, you risk having them not enjoy the activity or, worse yet, deciding they don』t want to do it anymore.
Find adventure friends for your kids – ones who like to do the same activities. Having a close match in skills is ideal for maximum fun, but a slight imbalance can also be really helpful. If other children are slightly more skilled than your kids, they will motivate your kids to follow and get better. If your child is slightly more skilled, they may act as a leader or teacher. This is a great way to boost their self-confidence and pride in their own skills and accomplishments.
Kids are stronger and more resilient than we sometimes give them credit for.Don』t underestimate their abilities and you may be surprised at what they accomplish on their own when given the opportunity.
I selfishly hope that our children will continue to do outdoor activities because that is what I love to do, but it is not a requirement. What I really want is for them to find what they are passionate about and pursue it. I believe the skills gained and lessons learned through being in the outdoors will help them to grow into resilient and confident adults, and will ultimately help them navigate whatever path they choose.
About Jesse Cunningham & Family
Jesse is a photographer and a father to two young explorers. He has also worked as a field biologist, outdoor educator, climbing guide, and outdoor retail buyer and manager. He loves to climb, hike, mountain bike and anything that gets him outdoors.
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