With all this technology we've recently been swarmed with and the pressure of everyday lives and tasks, we live in a busy world. Regardless of how busy a schedule is, regular time outside with nature, is relevant to the child's growth process. That being said, get out and play!
Okay so it maybe hard to push a stroller through the woods for a nature walk with two babies and a four year old. Luckily there are places all over the country with different aspects of nature to be admired. National Parks, lakes, beaches, ponds, farms, camp grounds, or even Common Areas in town. Most of these places have walking paths, jungle gyms, different types of wild life, colorful flowers and all different aspects of nature. It is a parents job to expose children to nature and teach the value of keeping the environment clean by healthy and safe activities, while being properly supervised. Depending on location, and travel, and how resources are used, can shape a child's since of wonder, and personality. In New England there are a lot of different lakes and National Parks that have different types of wild life. We have mountains, the ocean, while still having tons of lakes and farms. New England is also one of the only places that experience the seasons fully. Some animals you might find around your area are; turtles, geese, ducks, swans, fish, and birds. Beware, when the ducks come out at springtime keep in mind that you might run across some mating taking place. Depending on their ages, its okay to tell them that they are just playing or fighting, rather explaining to much at a young age with a visual. However, not long into spring you will find the geese babies with their mommies (they can become aggressive), or the new baby turtles making their way from the beach to the water. Moments like this are special teaching moments, that can spark a real magic moment for you and your babies. Maybe this will help get you started: Decide: It starts off as simple as finding a good spot and planning a trip. Another option is make a list of several different places well known or use google to find National Parks or National Landmarks in the area you are looking to explore. Talk to different friends or family members that may be interested in attending a family nature walk or adventure. Then decide together or if your on your own, when the adventure would work with everyone's schedule. Commit: Write down on the calendar when the nature walk or adventure will take place. Having activities written down on a calendar as an "event" in my opinion, makes people more prone to attending and prevents pop up surprises of plans that have been made in advance. The whole point of planning in advance is to be prepared. Taking babies on a nature walk may not be the easiest activity for a stay at home mom but there are some tips that can make any adventure successful, and fun. So get committed. Get committed to not just one nature walk, but get committed to make this summer and every other season an adventure, full of exploring the beautiful world around us. Success: Prepare a bag either the night before, or the morning of. Sometimes its easier to pack the lunches the morning of so that snacks & lunches are agreed upon before hand. Pack extras. Extra pants, shirts, drinks, lunches, snacks, socks, diapers, wipes, bottles, plastic bags (for trash), hair ties, sun screen, bug spray, Band-Aids with a first aid kit, containers to bring back samples for projects, a charged phone with camera, appropriate food to feed the animals, even binoculars. The more prepared, the easier the trip will go. Keep a calm mind and either get in the car and travel to where you will be exploring, or pack up the strollers and head out for an adventure. Be observant, and encourage observations. It's usually ok to feed the animals. As long as your feeding them the right diet it shouldn't be a problem. They usually don't allow people to feed the pigeons at the bus stops and may request people doing so, to stop. Ducks in general should not be fed bread, where it has little nutritional value and too much weight can cause all sorts of problems including heart problems. Feeding the animals? Here's suggested treats: Seedless Grapes (cut into halves) Non salted peanuts or almonds cut in pieces Dried fruit chopped
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We Love the BabiesThis page is for up to date lesson plans. These are new lesson plans that I have created myself, or have searched for. All credit is given where due. Lets get these little minds running! Archives
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