An Outdoor Perspective
March 2020 upended lots of things, including therapy. Virtual sessions, especially with young children, seemed to lack the usual engagement. As the weather warmed, more and more clients felt comfortable meeting outside. Meeting outside was a clear improvement to meeting online, but I also realized the benefits an outdoor session could provide, above-and-beyond the typical office meeting. Kids that wanted to move, could do so without the confines of the office walls. Kids that were uncomfortable making (or keeping) eye contact didn’t have to. Moments that have felt like awkward silence were replaced with the sounds of nature, the stream, birds, the rhythmic footsteps hitting the dirt path one after another. What once could have felt like an “awkward silence” in the office (and an eternity on Zoom), allowed for quiet reflection. There was less of a temptation to fill the space with words.
Getting on the Same “Wavelength”
We have expressions in English like “being on the same wavelength.” It’s the idea that somehow there can be a synchronicity between people. At times, this can feel natural and free-flowing; others times it can be hard to achieve. I’ve found that activities that provide opportunities for synchrony can be a powerful way to “get on the same wavelength.” Walking, swinging, playing catch, are all examples of activities that can help us “sync up.” I encourage you to move with your children. In addition to the physical benefits, you will be amazed at how a child’s willingness to speak, to open up, can change. I’m not pretending that a walk is the remedy for all ills, but it can be a great start. It lays the foundation for communication, for shared experiences, and for the parent-child relationship. They may not open up on the first walk, or the second catch, but you have created opportunities for this to happen.
