Here are some observations I've noticed from my own family, running a home daycare and participating in a nature-based playgroup.
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Exploring the forest after a rain |
I haven't even begun to sing the praises of appreciating the beauty and wonder of nature. Going for a walk can clear your mind. Focusing on local plants and animals rejuvenates the soul.
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Walking along fallen tree alone |
My boys were in the forest last week. They wanted to walk across a fallen tree so at first they asked to hold my hand. Then they each tried to go a little bit on their own. After the first slip one was ready to give up. I reminded him that we had plenty of time, he could go do something else, or try again but perhaps hold his body slightly differently. He thought about and tried several different ways to get across and was so proud of his efforts.
For myself I too have benefitted from my outdoor experience. I really wanted to grow vegetables but was rather clueless with how to start. I joined a local garden plot and randomly stuck in a few plants (mostly tomatoes that year). You can't imagine my excitement when something actually grew!!! The other gardeners were very encouraging and so were my boys. Each year now I have been more brave and adventurous. I have taken time to research which plants to grow and what to do. Last year we
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Daycare feeding their pet lion (that is what the tree looks like) |
Get more than one child together in nature and amazing things can happen. Grand adventures full of imagination. Team building and negotiations happen in all sorts of ways. My daycare children loved to use our outdoor play kitchen. It was simply some cinder blocks with wood on top and a few kitchen items. They'd work together to create restaurants and meals for each other and the squirrels in the forest.
Just the other day we had over some friends whom we hadn't seen in a while. Outside the children worked together to build a fort in out front yard and played beautifully. In our nature playgroup the parents don't intervene very often (occasionally for safety reasons). The children become explorers, take turn as leaders and have a wonderful time.
Certain spots in nature can become like a second home. You don't have to have a huge yard or live in a forest (although we are personally blessed with both). Try visiting the same location in nature weekly or monthly and watch that relationship blossom.
There is a little tree on a path that we visit often. Every time we go my boys take turns measuring their height against that little pine tree. When my oldest was about 3 or 4 they were the same height. It is like a little friend to him. We have a tree in our yard that my friend gifted to us. My boys tenderly clear the snow from around it, water and love that tree. They each have their own flower bed (okay they claimed one each that was already at the house), but they know each plant personally.
We often visit 'the pond' (it is just a part of the forest that fills with water in the spring and snow in the winter). The love to make predictions about they changes they observe. Each log and rock is so familiar to my boys. We've named a few and have adventures each time we visit.
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So excited to see a new tulip bloom |
My boys help with the leaves, snow removal, planting, etc. They enjoy it and often ask to do these tasks for me. Through real life experience they also see what happens when we let things slide. They are learning life long skills and responsibility just be getting out and joining in with what my husband and I are doing. This weekend they spent more than five hours outside caring for our yard, gardens and helping with some house renos in amongst playing in the sand box.
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Puddle jumping in the driveway |
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Fort building |
Now it's your turn to share: What are your favourite reasons to get outside? How have you been experience nature?
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