What are affordances?
Look at these logs. What are some things you can do with it? Maybe you thought of using it as a walking plank, or to make a fire pit, or even used as part of a treehouse.
These are what is called affordances – the possible uses of an object that may be most useful for your child in the current situation they are in.
Why seek object affordance in nature?
Nature can provide this exploration of affordance for your child because a single piece of natural element, like a log or a rock, can be utilized for so many purposes depending on the situation that they may need it for. Maybe a piece of rock could help them crack open a walnut, or help them keep a tally of a game by counting the number of rocks, or even imagined the rock as a pet that they needed to take care of in role play.
Objects with a range of affordance can be harder to find at home because of how store-bought appliances are usually manufactured to be used in one way to solve only one problem.
Develop problem-solving skills
The thought process behind determining the affordances of the rock requires not just simply looking at it but also thinking critically about how it can be used as a tool for very specific challenges.
By encountering more of these challenges in nature and with the repeated exposure to natural objects that have a wide range of affordances, your child can exercise their quick problem-solving skills to help improve their executive functioning.
Healthy development of executive functioning can help your child to focus better, tackle problems with confidence, and make better decisions. Expect to see improvements in school performance and behaviors in school.