Exploring Nature

Children have an uncanny ability to observe and interact with nature that adults have lost somewhere along the passage of time. They are able to look at nature through the lens that William Blake describes so poignantly:

“To see the world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

An eternity in an hour.”

Children benefit from being outside with nature because:

• Observing nature helps them learn to classify and order objects.
• Interacting with nature helps them understand how the world works and lays a foundation for more advanced scientific knowledge later on.
• Being outside gives a child the opportunity to breathe fresh, non-air-conditioned air and receive a good dose of Vitamin D from the sun.
• Looking after pets or plants can help a preschooler learn about the concept of responsibility.                                                                                                

Here are some quick and easy ways to encourage your child to interact with nature, even if you live in an apartment in the city:

• Plant potted herbs and place them by your kitchen window. Help your child harvest fresh herbs when you are preparing food.
• Visit the pet shop and look at the different pets available for sale.
• Feed the birds at the local park.
• Collect fallen leaves from the park and make leaf art: place the leaf underneath a blank piece of paper, press down with your hand and color over the leaf with a crayon or pastel.
• Get a bird identification DVD and watch it with your children. Imitate the different bird sounds with them too.
• Arrange a visit to a farm and show your child the different farm animals.
• Discuss the origins of popular food like eggs, milk, and flour with your child. Use video clips or pictures to demonstrate where food comes from.
• When you have an opportunity to spend time in a large garden, go on an earthworm hunt and explain to your child what an important role earthworms play in keeping the soil healthy.