Nurture Nature By Pamela Caywood

Pam, Bill & Grace

Step 1: Turn off the TV
Step 2: Pack a few drinks and a snack
Step 3: Go outside
Step 4: Use your 5 senses or at least 4!

When was the last time you went outside with your children and enjoyed nature...pure and simple. No balls, no bubble machines, no bikes...just you and nature. When you actually take time to stop and "smell the roses", it is amazing what comes alive outside. Better yet, nature will provide endless hours of entertainment. Did I mention that it is FREE???

Give your child a basket and start looking for "treasures". My 4 year old is so proud to show me her treasures: a pine cone, a shiny stone, a stick, a seed pod. Then the questions will start, "Where did this come from?" "What do bees eat?" What is in the middle?" It is fantastic to watch the wheels of curiosity turning. If you don't know the answer to every question, don't fret. You can plan another outing to find the answer. Go to the library or search on the internet. These activities will teach your child lifelong skills and will build wonderful memories for both of you. My daughter will never forget how I screamed when we came upon a field mouse one day. She laughed! She also knows where toads live, what is in the middle of an acorn, what happens when you plant a seed....the learning is endless!

The Nature game can go with you anywhere and you don't even have to pack anything!! We just returned from a trip to Hyannis Port, MA and discovered many new "treasures". My daughter loved smelling new flowers, finding baby conch shells, wearing seaweed as a fur coat and searching for baby toads. Now she has many things to remember about our trip.

During one visit to my brother's house, we were told that our activity for the day was creek walking. I thought well I already creak when I walk so I will stay home. No, that was not allowed. I never knew what fun it would be to walk in and around a creek looking for stuff. My nephew tried to teach me the art to net fishing that he perfected. Soggy shoes and all, everyone, young and old had a blast playing in the creek.

Last spring, my husband and I joined a group to go bird watching. I had no idea what we were going to experience. We were walking through our neighborhood so I figured that we would see robins, cardinals and blue jays. Well, we did see those but oh so many others. I was shocked how many different birds there are if you only stop, look and listen. Our guide taught us about the different bird calls and where they nest. It is definitely worth going on a guided tour with an expert. You learn so many interesting tidbits!

Don't let the weather keep you inside. (unless of course there is a tornado or lightning) Putting on rain gear and just getting wet is fun! Have you splashed in a puddle lately? Every season brings out a whole new array of goodies. You won't want to miss any of them. Did you know that fresh air will keep your child healthy and will tire him out? Yes, you may hear your child say, "I am tired. I am going up to bed now!" OK, well maybe that is far fetched, but he will most likely fall to sleep faster.

Yesterday my nephew came over with a bag overflowing with over 250 cicada shells. He had spent hours searching for these shells. He was proud of his "fortune". I offered to dip them in chocolate! Luckily, he turned his nose up to that idea. So, don't waste another minute inside. Get yourself outside with your child. Let the learning and laughter begin!

Pamela Caywood is the proud mother of a Grace and her new son Will.