Have you ever wonder to bring your kids to have a walk close to nature ? Whether it is a big or small garden, a park, reservation forest or even just a nearby neighborhood garden, it helps to open their eyes to our natural world around us.
A walk close to nature can teach or show the kids about life and nature around us. Moreover it is an activity without any cost or money, just your petrol fee if the place quite a distance.
They can learn how to appreciate mother nature and at the same time you can teach them about birds, trees, leaves, twigs, sky, soil, mushroom, flowers and even you can let them touch those tiny little insects or bugs living in the grass fields or trees. It is a great outdoor activity for the kids !
Kids nowadays spend most of their time watching TV, playing computer games or immerse themselves in activities without much social interaction. My 3 year old son also the same, stick to the TV most of the time besides playing with his toys. So I keep thinking about ways how to make him not too attach to the TV. I ask myself what will attract him most ?
Since my son is only 3 years old, so I guess he must be very curious, eager to explore and see new things. So one weekend both of us drove to a nearby garden and we have our first nature walk there. He felt very happy and I showed him the trees, rocks, leaves, twigs, birds, dragonflies, grasses. Since then he always looking forward to the garden. He likes the tadpole the most. Every time he will take a branch stick and try to play with the tadpole. It is a great outdoor activity for my son and I finally find my way !
We likes to play some games as well on the field. We always play a game called mushroom hunt, see who can spot a mushroom first. Or counting how many flowers on a tree, looking at how the ants moving around. You can ask your kids to listen to birds chirping, wind whistling and others nature sounds as well. I am sure they love to hear it !
You can organize a ‘Family Nature Walk’ in your neighborhood area as well since most kids like playmates or partners. You can socialize with parents nearby and at the same time sharing parenting tips or problems together.
I came across The Children’s Nature Institute site and it’s really attracted my attention. It is a non-profit organization and has provided innovative environmental education programs for more than 250,000 young children, parents and teachers in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, US. Although the institute is not in Malaysia, but it is a good example for us to follow and we can learn from them and organize one.
‘ Our mission is to educate young children through interactive experiences with nature, and to inspire a sense of respect and responsibility for the natural environment.’
The Children’s Nature Institute
Let Your Kids Back To Nature Today !
Thursday, September 07, 2006
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