Children are constantly learning; they are sponges for whatever is around them. The magnificent web of life in nature creates a gentle learning environment.

When my son was learning to walk, I took him into our pine forest and he’d teeter-totter around on his wobbly legs. We spent a bunch of time at one special very small hill he’d crawl up, then run down; or toddle up then roll down.  He was learning gross-motor skills.

Last week, I took one of the babies I care for out to our garden and showed her the flower heather. She grabbed it with her little hands, worked at taking individual flowers off the stem. Of course she wanted to take it into her mouth, but that’s how babies learn! She was practicing her fine-motor skills. 

We go to tons of playgrounds, but my son’s favorite is the one where he can play with his squirrel friend. Yes, he loves squirrels, but this one grey squirrel really plays with my son. Through this relationship my son is learning stewardship and care for the earth {and socialization!}. 

There are the tough lessons too, our two rabbits died, and we’ve lost two chickens and one rooster. But life and death go together and children can understand this especially when they experience it through nature. This is the gift of understanding life.

 Playing outside in the elements, experiencing the seasons; listening to the ways the animals communicate, or the way the wind sounds on a breezy day or a windy day. The feel of the salt air and sand at the beach offers a deep and real experience of the senses. 

Unstructured child’s play is the best way for kids to learn these things- because it’s on their terms and their experiences are guiding their development.

So the next time you or I send our kids outside… watch closely and learn something!

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Thanks for joining the first Backyard Mama Nature and Children blog carnival. I am so honored by your participation and interest.

Remember to follow the rules and to link back to this post.

And now the drum roll….. next week’s topic: share with us a favorite outside hide-out/ place from childhood.  

See you next week…. now head outside! ~ Backyard Mama

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