Connecting with Nature
Seeking out wildlife wherever I go has been an endless source of entertainment and a favourite pastime of mine ever since I was a child. I could spend hours studying ant trails watching them work tirelessly carrying food, eggs and casualties to and from their nest via the highway they built on the street corner outside my family home.
Like most kids, I loved studying the animals in my environment, preferably as close-up and hands-on as I could get away with. Back then, in Denmark in the mid 70’s and early 80’s, there seemed to be plenty of space and time as well as freedom for us kids to explore the flora and fauna in our neighbourhood independently.
Today however, we parents appear to give our kids less independence to do so. Primarily out of concern for their safety, which is not a bad thing, times have changed! Instead of letting our kids roam free outdoor, we often meet our kids’ needs for activities and entertainment in our indoor spaces. Here, toys and electronic gadgets replace the hands-on experiences they get through independent and unstructured, outdoor play.
I highly value the learning kids can attain from many of the electronic gadgets, apps and online games out there and the relaxing downtime they provide our kids with in their hectic and packed daily lives. However, I do fear our kids are at risk of missing out on some of the most rewarding and valuable learning experiences of childhood – connecting with nature – if we do not provide a balance.
Check out my list of 6 things we do to make our walks in the park, forest or seaside more fun and keeps us going for a little longer HERE.
