Anyone who has spend time in the presence of children knows how perceptive, alive and tuned into the world they are. Our fear, resilience, empathy – it all gets integrated and informs who they are becoming. The best way inspire a love of nature in our kids is to express and reveal our genuine love for it too.
So here’s to revealing our most authentic, joyful selves to our children when we are out there. Here are 10 things all kids should see their parents doing outside:
PLAYING
Get dirty, go barefoot, run in the rain, jump like a frog, have imaginary sword fights. Let them see you playing in wild abandon!
ASKING QUESTIONS
Point up, listen intently, make observations. Let them see and hear you being curious about the world around you. Let them see you wonder.
ENJOYING THE WEATHER (every kind!)
Run in the rain, roll in the snow or turn towards the wind. Let them see you dressed and ready for every season. Let them see you basking in both sun and rain.
FINDING FOOD
Eat dandelions, identify wild edibles and nurture seedlings. Let them see you seek out “weeds” and tending a garden. Let them see you trust in and gain strength from the land.
ADVENTURING
Climb a tree, scale a rock or choose a new path. Let them see trying something different and taking measured risks. Let them see you uncomfortable and striving.
BEING PREPARED
Start a fire, build a shelter and navigate your way. Let them see you feeling comfortable and resourceful away from the house.
HEALING
Rest under the trees, breath deeply and seek peace in nature. Let them see you giving yourself time, slowing down and seeking solace outside.
BEING CREATIVE
Make a nature mandala, paint with the rain or sketch in your nature journal. Let them see you inspired and noticing beauty in the small things. Let them see you make something beautiful out of what’s given.
WORKING
Chop wood, move rocks, build a raised bed. Let them see you sweat, make progress and do meaningful work.
CARING FOR NATURE
Raise happy animals, pick up garbage on the trail or make a brush pile for the birds. Let them see you caring for and restoring the environment. Let them see you express compassion for all creatures (especially the spiders).
This is my list, what’s yours? Is there something you feel proud that you’re modeling outside for your family? I would love to hear so I can work on that too.
Your Woman Gone Wild,
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I love this list! Being prepared and foraging are lost arts these days and more of us need to play in the dirt more often. It feels good and it’s fun!
I’m thinking about this in the context of my time as a parent and past scout leader to my son’s group. There is much to appreciate outside of the walls of the house, away from screens. We do cleanups and little hikes and bike rides and always explore/appreciate what is, with a sense of wonder. Empathy for the world and our fellow human beings seems to naturally develop (also mystification at those who don’t seem to get it yet, that all of life is interconnected, interdependent).
I suppose if it’s all interconnected, then we are implicated in their confusion too. All the more reason to inspire them to experience and bear witness to those interdependencies. The scout group sounds wonderful – thank you so much for sharing!