Current Nature: Find Your Place In Nature

In an age where digital spaces are accessible at the touch of a finger it is especially important to encourage children to explore and learn in nature. Although it can be intimidating at times when your head starts reeling about all the things that could go wrong, there is truly no space better than that which allows endless opportunities. Children learn best from their senses when they are allowed to hear, touch, see, and even smell the world around them.

As someone who has worked with children in natural spaces, I can confidently say that learning through and in nature lights up children's natural curiosity. Unfortunately, experiences in nature are hard to replicate in a structured classroom space. If you have children in your life, I encourage you to take advantage of the beautiful natural landscapes and the mild weather Nantucket provides to explore and learn together this summer.

Now, I would not assign you such a big task without providing any guidance. The best tool I can add to your toolbox is the reassurance that you do not have to know all the answers. Take advantage of children's natural curiosity and never-ending imagination. This is especially useful when children are in their “why?” phase, as it is the fundamental question that can lead to understanding. Take the “why?” as an opening to flip the question on them by asking why they believe something is or occurs. You might get outlandish answers; I have received rockets, giant people, and worms as an explanation for erosion, but allowing kids to work through a question provides the foundation for critical thinking. An effective way to provide guidance through the process of finding a conclusion is asking what they know, notice, and wonder about a subject. If you do know the answer, feel free to provide background information, and if you do not, take it as an opportunity to have kids learn about how to find informational resources (Tip: use your local library).

Exploring nature with kids is a journey, but it is not a journey you have to take alone. There are countless resources that can be found both online and in person for free, including at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation. At the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, we have free guided hikes aimed at all kinds of audiences, including families, adults, and children. While we at LLNF hope you can find time to join us, we understand that that is not always feasible. Interesting online resources include apps like Merlin Bird ID, iNaturalist, and Seek by iNaturalist. All these apps serve as easily accessible field guides. The Merlin Bird ID app is geared towards bird species. The fun part of this app is that you do not even need a picture of the bird to be able to ID a species, since the app has an audio recorder feature that identifies birds by their calls. Both iNaturalist and Seek can identify a wide variety of species by simply taking a picture. Seek by iNaturalist is a great tool if you want to get children engaged in the identification of species, since through the app you can receive badges and daily goals. 

Through simple online searches, you can find a wide variety of fun nature-based activities such as plant bingos, nature scavenger hunts, stories, and songs. Most of these resources are created by professional researchers, environmental educators, and childcare professionals. With all these resources available, do not be scared to explore; so put on a pair of shoes that you do not mind getting dirty, grab your water bottles, and start the journey towards finding your place in nature!

Stay tuned for more editions of Current Nature, a bi-weekly column featuring seasonal topics, natural history information, and advice on the outdoors from the staff at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation.