Simple ways to engage children with nature
What better way to learn than getting stuck in? Children tend to learn best when they’re given hands-on activities to immerse themselves in and there are so many ways to do this in relation to nature conservation and caring for the environment. Appreciation can only come from knowledge and understanding so it’s all about instilling this in children from a young age.
Walk the walk
We’re all familiar with the havoc car pollution wreaks on the environment yet many of us choose driving over walking. Swapping the car for walking will teach your children that getting around on foot is a marvellous alternative. Not only is it a wonderful way to spend time with your little nippers, it’s also great for both physical and mental wellbeing. So, get those legs moving and reap all the benefits fresh air has to offer!
Children see the world with fresh eyes – everything is new and exciting. Even a short walk can turn into a mini adventure. Looking out for seasonal shifts—trees changing colour, flowers bursting into bloom, birds visiting from overseas—keeps children engaged on their daily stroll. When time allows, try mixing things up a bit with some simple games, like counting squirrels or butterflies or trees – whatever’s around you. Have a go at playing eye spy (spotting different colours is a great one for younger children). Whether you’re surrounded by open fields or living in an inner-city concrete jungle, there’s always nature to be found – you just need to look.
At home with nature
Whether you have acres of land or only space for a window box, you and your children can create a haven for wildlife. With just a little research you can find the best plants and flowers to attract our pollinator friends – such as bees, butterflies and moths. Embrace children’s zest for grubbiness and encourage them to dig holes, plant seeds and water the burgeoning plants. If you have plenty of outdoor space, why not plant a tree? It’ll add interest to your garden as well as acting as shelter for visiting birds, bugs and other creatures.
One of the best ways to create a welcoming environment for our feathered friends is to install a bird table or feeding station in your garden. Feeding the birds can be a lovely addition to your little ones’ daily routine and a wonderful sensory experience as they explore the different sizes, textures and colours of various seeds and other birdy nibbles. And what child doesn’t love to pour water! A bird bath provides much needed drinking water, as well as being somewhere for birds to have a good ol’ wash. During hot spells, your children can sit and watch as they flock to the bath to stay cool and hydrated.
Further afield
With many of us living in built-up towns and cities, our overall connection to nature is not what it once was. But simply going for a walk with your kids in the park or visiting other green spaces, however small, is enough to engage them with the natural world. It’s also a wonderful way to teach children about enjoying and respecting shared spaces.
When it comes to natural habitats, there’s a careful balance to strike between exploring them and not disturbing them. Explaining why leaving litter is a big no-no will encourage children to respect and cherish the outdoors. Describing the effect it has on nature will put it into context, helping them to understand the reasons why they shouldn’t do it. Not only will dropping rubbish ruin the visual pleasure of a place, it can also be very dangerous for wildlife. Discarded waste can trap or entangle creatures, and if sharp, they can cut and injure themselves.
Protect our planet
News about climate change and the state of the natural world makes for grim reading and it’s the younger generations that will feel the full impact of the destruction that’s been taking place over many, many years. Rather than scaring or overwhelming children by exposing them from a very young age to the realities of what’s happening, give them the opportunity to fall in love with nature. Then, when they’re old enough to understand, they’ll already be invested in it and ready to take action to save it. As grown-ups, we can all lead by example and raise the next generation as guardians of biodiversity.
Here’s to planet Earth!