Five for Friday - Tips For Sharing Nature With Your Children

Teach less, and share more.
Instead of just telling your child the facts of nature, express your feelings about the natural world. Let her know that a thunderstorm makes you feel adventurous, while worms make you wonder what it’s like to live under the ground.

Be receptive.
Listen. Be aware of the thoughts and feeling that your child is sharing with you. Be sensitive: every question, every comment, every joyful discovery is an opportunity to communicate and learn with your child.

Focus your child’s attention.
Set the tone of your outing by asking questions and pointing out interesting sights and sounds. Some children are not used to watching nature closely, so find things that interest them, and lead them bit by bit into the spirit of keen observation. Let them know that their findings are interesting to you, too.

Look and experience first; talk later.
Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers. The names of plants and animals are only superficial labels for what those things really are. Just as your own essence isn’t captured by your name, or even by your physical appearance or personality traits, there is also much more to an oak tree than a name and a list of facts about it. You and your child can gain a deeper appreciation of an oak by watching how the tree’s mood shifts with changes in lighting at different times of the day.

Fill learning with joy
Whether it’s real laughter or a peaceful attentiveness, your child will absorb learning naturally if you can keep the spirit of the occasion happy and enthusiastic.