Parenting Perspective 

In a contemporary world saturated with advertisements, bright packaging, and constant digital stimulation, children are frequently taught, often without explicit words, that true excitement resides in things, not in moments. To help them successfully rediscover beauty in simplicity, parents must gently and intentionally slow the rhythm of their child’s attention. The essential goal is to teach the profound lesson that joy is readily accessible through seeing deeply, not merely through possessing more. Outdoor experiences provide the perfect, quiet classroom for this learning, as nature’s inherent beauty consistently reveals itself gently: in soft colours, natural textures, and moments of stillness. 

Shifting the Focus from ‘Having’ to ‘Being’ 

When you walk through a busy market or a park near commercial areas, and your child inevitably points out specific toys, bright food stalls, or elaborate decorations, avoid forbidding their interest. Instead, guide their gaze differently: ‘Yes, those balloons are colourful, but look closely at how the sunset colours the clouds. Which sight feels more peaceful to you right now?’ Such thoughtful questions effectively reframe the attraction. They teach discernment, the ability to recognise true wonder without the need for physical possession. 

• Collect Experiences: Encourage them to deliberately collect experiences rather than tangible objects: the specific sound of leaves rustling, the unique scent immediately after rain, or the smooth shape of a pebble. 

• Rituals of Discovery: Create small, meaningful rituals that celebrate these intangible discoveries: placing a beautifully fallen leaf in a ‘memory jar’ or carefully sketching what they observed instead of purchasing an item. Through these conscious acts, children learn that lasting meaning grows profoundly through focused noticing, not through the act of owning. 

Modelling Contentment Through Presence 

Children powerfully mirror the attitudes of the adults around them. If parents rush carelessly past beautiful trees but noticeably pause before brightly lit shop windows, that silent message is absorbed entirely. Purposefully show awe for the ordinary: the gentle ripple in the water, the quiet hum of busy bees, or the intricate patterns on tree bark. Your visible, calm attention becomes their immediate invitation to wonder. 

• Reframing Simplicity: You can also gently reframe simplicity as inherent elegance. Say, ‘Nature never shouts for attention, yet everything in it fits together perfectly and elegantly.’ This kind of language nurtures deep reverence. When children learn to intrinsically associate quietness with beauty, they naturally stop equating intense excitement with personal worth. 

Micro-action: During one weekly walk, choose to take nothing with you but a simple notebook. Ask your child to describe three simple things they found beautiful that cost absolutely nothing. Record their exact words to demonstrate convincingly that focused seeing is significantly more valuable than careless spending. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches clearly that inherent beauty (Jamal) resides not in distracting excess but in perfect harmony—the essential balance that Allah Almighty has placed within every single creation. The eyes that successfully see beauty in simplicity are, in essence, the eyes that instantly recognise the divine signs of the Creator. By patiently teaching children to admire what is fundamentally natural and pure, parents are nurturing both deep humility and genuine, profound gratitude. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran in Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 191: 

‘Those people who remember Allah (Almighty) while standing, and sitting, and whilst (lying asleep) on their sides; and they contemplate on the creation of the layers of trans-universal existence and the Earth (and say): “O our Sustainer, You have not created all of this without purpose (and irrefutable nature and logic), praise be to You (Allah Almighty), so protect us from the punishment of the Hellfire”.’ 

This verse explicitly reminds us that purposeful reflection upon creation leads directly to reverence, never to selfish consumption. The believer’s attentive gaze transforms every single leaf and every wave into an act of remembrance. When children learn this spiritual truth, they begin to perceive simplicity not as a lack or deficiency, but as clarity—the pure, untainted form of beauty that steadily brings the heart closer to peace. 

It is recorded in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 131, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘Allah is beautiful and loves beauty.‘ 

This Hadith gently encourages us to seek and appreciate beauty not primarily in ostentatious display but in intrinsic balance, inherent goodness, and heartfelt sincerity. When shared with children, it helps them understand that true, lasting beauty is not found in superficial glitter or manufactured novelty, but in how harmoniously something fulfils its intended purpose: a flower naturally blooming, a bird effortlessly flying, or a stream continuously flowing. 

When the experience of being outdoors naturally becomes a space for quiet admiration rather than anxious comparison, children’s hearts begin to find deep rest. They learn that the simple things are often the most sacred, and that true, profound beauty invites peaceful reflection, never restless desire. In time, they will carry this essential stillness within them—a kind of spiritual wealth that no shop can ever truly offer, and no digital screen can possibly replace.