Posted on 10/08/2020
Unlike the many gifts we long to give our children, nature walks come with no price tag attached. It does require something of us, though. And what we must invest to afford our children the joy and wonder of nature may feel costly; the dividends such gifts pay out, however, make the investment worthwhile. In Nature Walks 101, we looked at the three basic steps you need to take in order to take your child or children on a nature walk; but after you get dressed, grab your gear, and go outside, what do you need to be prepared to give? That's what we're talking about this time, in Nature Walks 102.
Give Your Time
I know, I know. It's the one resource we can't manufacture more of, no matter how intelligent or innovative we may be. There's simply no replacement for it, though: our children require our time in order to flourish in life. And nature can't be rushed. Based on an old Zen proverb, "You should sit in nature for 20 minutes a day — unless you're busy; then you should sit for an hour." While that statement might get a chuckle, it's really pointing to an important problem in modern life. If you're too busy to take your child for a walk outside and to appreciate nature on your own, then, well, you're too busy.
While you can't manufacture time, you can better evaluate how you spend it and intentionally free it up. If you need help with that, this post may help.
Give Your Attention
The point of going on a nature walk isn't to simply identify wildlife, plants, or ecosystems. It's to notice things. Wonder. Soak it in. Let it work the magic it was meant to do in your mind and emotions. Pay attention to what you see and experience, and let it delight you. Do you feel the warmth of the sun on your cheeks, the wetness of the dew on a leaf, or the roughness of the tree bark? Do you see a variety of vibrant colors, subtly variegated greens, or camouflaged critters? Pay attention to your surroundings, and as you do so, you'll be teaching your child the basic elements of scientific discovery. All the STEM-oriented books and classroom activities fall short of accomplishing what a hands-on nature walk can do.
Give Up Your Technology
If you really want to go high tech about this whole nature deal, you may prefer to nix the field guide and camera and simply use your phone. There are plenty of apps intended for nature identification (check out these lists for Android and iPhone users). And really, they're great for last-minute nature breaks. But beware of the temptation: it can be easy to get sucked in and turn your nature time into more screen time if you're not careful.
For suggestions on how to make the most of your time in nature, take a look at Nature Walks 103.
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