Cooler mornings, football games, apple-picking — a new season is here and so is our inspiration to get outside and enjoy this beautiful world.
Young children are the most delightful explorers of the world around us. We tend to forget that the natural world is still new to them. Everything — from the roly-poly creeping across the sidewalk, to the crunchy leaves along the path — is worthy of a complete halt and investigation. As grown-ups, it’s second nature for us to hurry them along. We have things to do and places to be.
But what if we built in time to enjoy our surroundings and its many treasures with our children?
It doesn’t have to be an all-day trek to the mountains or apple orchard, even though those are wonderful outings. Even an hour in the woods, a local botanical garden, or your own backyard can provide an enriching time for your child and a much needed change of scenery for you as a parent or caregiver.
Here are 3 fun ways to enjoy the great outdoors with your child:
1. Let them explore.
Children need boundaries but as much as possible, let them run and climb, look under rocks, walk through a stream, and take in their surroundings with all the energy they have. Because everything is new, everything is exciting! Take advantage of their innate curiosity.
Need more motivation to let your young kids play with wild enthusiasm outside? A recent article in the Washington Post discusses the decline of play in preschools and the rise in sensory issues. {This is a must-read!}
As parents and teachers strive to provide increasingly organized learning experiences for children…, the opportunities for free play – especially outdoors is becoming less of a priority. Ironically, it is through active free play outdoors where children start to build many of the foundational life skills they need in order to be successful for years to come.
In fact, it is before the age of 7 years — ages traditionally known as “pre-academic” — when children desperately need to have a multitude of whole-body sensory experiences on a daily basis in order to develop strong bodies and minds. This is best done outside where the senses are fully ignited and young bodies are challenged by the uneven and unpredictable, ever-changing terrain.
2. Involve all the senses.
Let them touch the scaly bark on trees and smooth stones by the stream’s edge.
Hand them a fresh-picked apple to taste, noting its sweetness and tartness.
Smell the pine needles together and don’t be afraid of the sticky sap on their fingertips.
Point out the changing colors of the leaves so they can see the many colors with which nature is painted.
Be quiet for a few moments and ask them what they hear — a gurgling stream, chirping birds, rustling leaves.
3. Give them “tools” and encourage their love of finding natural items.
Kids love having a magnifying glass so they can get a close-up look at bugs and flowers. And bring along a clear, lidded container so they can collect creepy-crawlies and examine them from every angle.
It’s also a great idea to give them a small bag for toting home their souvenirs — feathers, stones, shells, leaves. Children love to collect things. The beautiful gifts found in nature feed their natural curiosity. {Best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything.}
When my own children were young, I had a special shelf reserved in our glass hutch. For years it housed their favorite rocks, the newest bird nest, or an interesting piece of bark. It was a rotating collection of their latest and greatest finds.
In an age where screens dominate our lives and plastic toys occupy our shelves, returning to nature is more important than ever.
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If nature walks, outdoor play, and intentional exploration haven’t been a regular thing for your young kids, don’t become discouraged if they don’t take to it right away. Keep trying. Think of ways to make it fun, like packing a picnic or getting ice-cream on the way home. In time, they will look forward to being outside and so will you!
As the summer heat recedes and the cooler days invite us to savor our surroundings, get out there with your kids and enjoy the great outdoors together! Let the new season rejuvenate your kids and yourself. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you. And your kids will think it’s pretty great too.
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What are your favorite ways to enjoy the great outdoors with your kids?
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Pickens County First Steps is also on Pinterest. Find great ideas for nurturing the young children in your life!
