The article discusses how introducing nature into nurseries can have a positive impact on children's health. The Finnish government has provided grants to daycare centers to create outdoor spaces that mimic natural environments, with the goal of improving children's immune systems and reducing allergies.
Studies in Finland and Australia have shown that children who spend time outdoors in green spaces have better gut health and stronger immune systems than those who do not. This is thought to be due to exposure to beneficial microorganisms and other compounds found in nature, which can help build a healthy microbiome.
The article also mentions the "old friends" hypothesis, which suggests that humans evolved alongside microbes in air, plants, and soil. According to this theory, the body can exchange useful microbes with the natural world to stay healthy.
Some Finnish daycare centers have already implemented these outdoor spaces, with success. For example, a daycare center in Helsinki has created a hedge of plants around its playground, which has reduced nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 13% six months after planting.
The article concludes that introducing nature into nurseries is a win-win for children's health and the environment. By creating green spaces that mimic natural environments, daycare centers can provide children with opportunities to explore and learn about nature, while also improving their overall well-being.
Some key points from the article include:
* The Finnish government has provided grants to daycare centers to create outdoor spaces that mimic natural environments.
* Studies in Finland and Australia have shown that children who spend time outdoors in green spaces have better gut health and stronger immune systems than those who do not.
* The "old friends" hypothesis suggests that humans evolved alongside microbes in air, plants, and soil, and that the body can exchange useful microbes with the natural world to stay healthy.
* Some Finnish daycare centers have already implemented these outdoor spaces, with success.
* Introducing nature into nurseries is a win-win for children's health and the environment.
Studies in Finland and Australia have shown that children who spend time outdoors in green spaces have better gut health and stronger immune systems than those who do not. This is thought to be due to exposure to beneficial microorganisms and other compounds found in nature, which can help build a healthy microbiome.
The article also mentions the "old friends" hypothesis, which suggests that humans evolved alongside microbes in air, plants, and soil. According to this theory, the body can exchange useful microbes with the natural world to stay healthy.
Some Finnish daycare centers have already implemented these outdoor spaces, with success. For example, a daycare center in Helsinki has created a hedge of plants around its playground, which has reduced nitrogen dioxide concentrations by 13% six months after planting.
The article concludes that introducing nature into nurseries is a win-win for children's health and the environment. By creating green spaces that mimic natural environments, daycare centers can provide children with opportunities to explore and learn about nature, while also improving their overall well-being.
Some key points from the article include:
* The Finnish government has provided grants to daycare centers to create outdoor spaces that mimic natural environments.
* Studies in Finland and Australia have shown that children who spend time outdoors in green spaces have better gut health and stronger immune systems than those who do not.
* The "old friends" hypothesis suggests that humans evolved alongside microbes in air, plants, and soil, and that the body can exchange useful microbes with the natural world to stay healthy.
* Some Finnish daycare centers have already implemented these outdoor spaces, with success.
* Introducing nature into nurseries is a win-win for children's health and the environment.
I think this is super cool! Creating outdoor spaces in nurseries is literally like giving kids a big ol' hug from Mother Nature. They get to explore, play, and learn about the world around them, and it's great for their mental health too 
. And have you seen those hedge plants reducing nitrogen dioxide concentrations? Mind. Blown. 
It's no wonder Finland is all about this outdoor living thing - they must be doing something right! 
. And the science backs it up - who knew that just being around nature could boost those little immune systems and gut health? 
The "old friends" hypothesis is wild too - our bodies are literally connected to the earth, you guys! 
. like, who wouldn't want to spend time outside in green spaces? it makes total sense that kids would be less likely to get allergies and have better gut health 
. let's get more nurseries doing this!
! And I love the "old friends" hypothesis - it's like our bodies are meant to be living in harmony with nature, not against it 
. My little niece is at daycare and they're already getting her out there more often now that they've got these outdoor spaces. She's always been into plants and bugs, so I think she'll love this 
!
. So they're doing this thing in Finland where they're turning daycares into mini-ecosystems? It sounds crazy, but kinda brilliant. I mean, we all know how important gut health is for kids (and let's be real, for adults too 
). But the idea that just by exposing them to nature, we can boost their immune systems and help 'em develop a healthy microbiome? That's wild.
I'm not saying it's a magic solution or anything, but it can't hurt, right?
It makes so much sense that being around nature would improve kids' immune systems and gut health. Like, think about it - we're constantly exposed to pollutants and germs as adults, but kids are still learning how to navigate the world. Giving them a chance to get outside and explore in a natural setting could be super beneficial for their development. 
Plus, it's not just about the physical benefits - I think it would also help reduce stress and promote a sense of wonder and curiosity. The idea that our bodies can "exchange useful microbes" with nature is wild, but also kinda cool? 
Some Finnish daycare centers are already making this work, and it's amazing to see the positive results. Who knows, maybe one day we'll have entire cities designed around green spaces! 
. And allergies are just getting worse too 
. But introducing nature into these nurseries? That's like giving them a big ol' hug from Mother Nature 
.
. And I love the idea that this can help build a healthy microbiome 
. Like, we've been coexisting with microbes and plants and soil for ages, and our bodies are just chillin' with them, exchanging info and whatnot 
.
.
! I mean, think about it, kids spend most of their days stuck indoors, staring at screens all day... it's like they're missing out on an entire world of wonder and discovery. And now these Finnish daycare centers are gettin' in on the action, creatin' these outdoor spaces that mimic nature... it's genius! 
The results are amazin', too - better gut health, stronger immune systems, reduced allergies... what more could you ask for? 
I remember when I was a kid, we used to spend hours playin' in the woods behind our house, explorin' and gettin' dirty... it's crazy how much we've lost touch with that sense of adventure and connection with nature. But seriously, this is somethin' that should be happenin' everywhere - kids need a chance to get outside and experience the beauty of the natural world! 
They're actually doing some science-y stuff to prove it too, like studying the beneficial microorganisms in nature 
. And the "old friends" hypothesis is pretty mind-blowing, that our bodies are basically meant to be connected with the natural world 
. I'm curious to see how this will impact kids' health and the environment long-term 
. Can't wait to hear about more daycare centers adding outdoor spaces in the future! 
Like, if daycare centers are already struggling to pay staff, do we really think they're going to spring for all these plants and greenery out of the goodness of their hearts? 