Kids are natural scientists

Raise your children to have a strong appreciation for the natural world. They’re inheriting the planet from us, after all.

Children are born with a strong urge to explore their surroundings. Encourage them to look at their world closely and marvel at the wonder of it all. Be on the lookout for ”what if?” moments in your day-to-day life, whether it be while they’re playing in the mud or helping you tend to a worm farm in your kitchen.

Spotted an ant highway on your kitchen floor? Play ”What if?”, and see what the ants do if you put an obstacle in their path, or try and lure them with different types of crumbs to see what type of food they prefer.

SLOW DOWN AND SEE

Remember that your child’s world is closer to the ground than yours. Take some time to consider this perspective, and you could rediscover a sense of wonder in what you see as well. Also keep in mind that a child’s world moves at a slower pace.

Make sure to follow his lead when you’re out and about. When he stops to study something, stop with him and give him enough time to contemplate the insect or plant that caught his eye, without rushing to the next thing. For example, if you’re walking to the park, forget about the destination and take the journey there completely at his pace.

Decide beforehand not to become impatient if he dawdles. Children learn through experience and not by being told about things.

This is particularly true when they are very young but is also true for older children and adults. Your young child isn’t merely learning about things, he is also learning about learning, by engaging with his world. There is not a book on earth, no matter how well written or beautifully illustrated, that can impart the magic of what happens when you lift up a rotten tree stump, for instance. Seeing all those creepy crawlies with your own eyes is an irreplaceable experience. Books and other study materials can help reinforce the powerful impressions and experiences and help organise thoughts, but the foundation of knowledge is in direct observation and real life experience. Don’t rob your child of these.

WIDE WORLD OUT THERE

Children love roaming around outdoors where they can climb trees, jump in puddles and collect sticks and stones, or perhaps find a beautiful feather to proudly present to you.

They love helping in the garden and feeding animals. Lifelong memories are made during a visit to the bush, the beach, the farm or a park where you can play in a stream or lie on the grass and watch the clouds. Your child’s first exposure to the wide world out there will be during small excursions in his pram or on your back. Even small babies absorb the sounds and colours of the outdoors – the clouds above and the beauty of smells in the garden, and the sound of wind in the trees. All these things leave an impression.

Every season has its own beauty. Point out the changes to your toddler, like a flower making its way to the sun, a pretty shell or perfect leaf. As your child grows older you can add on to what you point out. “Look, there is our neighbour’s house. Just look at the beautiful plants at their front door” or “Come and look at the bird’s nest I can spot from the top balcony!”

Even small babies absorb the sounds and colours of the outdoors – the clouds above and the beauty of smells in the garden, and the sound of wind in the trees. All these things leave an impression.

L❤VE OUR PLANET

We only have one earth, and humans are its only custodians. Children should learn from an early age to care about the planet and to see the value of conserving places like wild parks, green strips and gardens.

Teach your children to respect life and talk about where we fit into this web. Explain that we humans are dependent on nature for our own existence. For instance, children are often taught that earth is something dirty to be avoided. Make sure you also teach them an appreciation of good, rich soil as something that gives life to plants and is therefore extremely important to our whole planet and our existence.

Emphasise that every living thing should be treated with respect. Don’t pick or destroy plants just for fun. We pick for a good reason, and yes, this can include a bit of dry flower pressing or putting flowers in a vase, but we never pick so much that the whole plant is destroyed.

Talk about your own impact on your environment and how to minimise the negative effects you might have by using only what you need.

Teach your child to enjoy wild spaces and never to leave anything behind. Never, ever litter. In fact, set an example, and pick up any litter you see and dispose of it properly. Carry a bag with you for this. Broken bottles, cans and plastic bags are unsightly but can also harm the environment. Eventually, a love of their immediate surroundings will have a ripple effect, and they will love and appreciate the whole globe. And that can only be a good thing! ●