The love for Nature has been integral in humans since ages. Nature not only reminds humans about the wonderful creation and the majesty of creater but it also helps humans in their emotional regulation. Just think about the sound of wind or the water flow, its simply so contending in it self. In addition, nature is a good teacher too. It encompasses so much knowledge and wisdom that one can learn amazing concepts through reflection and observation. It is also evident in Harvard Gardener’s theory about different ways through which people learn. He mentioned about different multiple intelligences and nature smart being one of them. How come a human mind not question about a little plant turning into a big tree? Isn’t it a better way to learn life cycle of plants than learning from a book?
Nature walk is an interesting engaging activity for holistic child development
Since early years children should be taken for nature walk. Nature is full of sensory simulations and research cues which can greatly help in child’s brain development in addition to regulating their emotional highs and lows. Following activities can be performed during nature walk:
Discussions and Discussions
The first and foremost is to talk about the nature with your child. Discuss the feeling of child about touching the leaves/ stem, listening to the sound of birds, tasting a fruit and so on (emotional development). Discussions can also be in the direction of developing love for the creator of the world (Spiritual development). I would personally love singing the song ‘teri ha zameen tera aasman’ or ‘kis ne bnaya phulo ko’ to appreciate the greatness of Allah. I would often say Al-khaliq (arabic word meaning Allah the creator) and Shukar Alhamdulillah (All praise to Allah) while appreciating the beauty of nature. Another perspective to discussion could be describing the nature for e.g This is a big, long, lush green mango tree, and you can add up more adjectives. Lastly, the discussions can be around taking care of the cleanliness of the garden and that of not plucking the flowers etc. These all discussions will lead to language development of the child.
Crushing Dried Leaves
When it comes to physical activity, children simply love it. Gather some dried leaves along with your child. Keep counting them for numeracy integration and keep discussing about why the plants shed-off their dried leaves to get some fresh leaves back. Once compiled, you and your child can crunch these leaves with your hands or feet and enjoy the sound that is produced. At later stages, children can also take part in cleaning the garden.
Watering Plants
You can take a small watering can along with your child and let them water plants with great love. Remind them that just like humans plants also need water in a certain amount.
Planting a Seed
Take some seeds along with you (preferably the one that grows quick) and some sand tools. Dig the soil out, plant a seed, cover with the soil again and then water the area. Every time you go to the garden, observe the growing length and girth of the plant. This is truely self satisfying. For later stages, you can grow a plant in garden and the other one in the pot and place it in the dark shelf. Let children understand the needs of a plant to grow.
Meditation
The peaceful nature calls for a peaceful heart inside human body. Take a mat along with you or simply sit on that soft grass and practice deep breathing with your baby. The peaceful vibes from the adult will make the child peaceful too. Take a book to read in the garden or just close eyes together and feel the smell, sound and the air around.
Nature Box
Who doesn’t like souvenirs? Collect some souvenirs with your child during nature walk and bring them back as a beautiful memory. Things that can be collected from the garden are dried leaves, fallen flowers, twigs, bird’ feathers, rocks etc. At later stages, you van also collect different types of soils and look forward to different ways of preserving your nature souvenirs for lifetime.
Matching Game
You can make different flashcards of things in the garden and let the child associate each object with its image. This activity can also be done after coming back to home with the nature souvenirs collected during nature walk.
Sorting Activity
A great collection during nature walk can help in playing sorting activities. Group different types of leaves, flowers, stones, feathers, twigs etc. let the child explore the differences and similarities and appreciate the diversity in the nature.
Making Patterns
Children love patterns and it helps them to develop rhythmic sense. Play pattern game through actions during nature walk. For e.g. walk, jump and hop….walk, jump and hop etc. These are real fun. You can make patterns using nature walk souvenirs too for e.g leaf, leaf, flower…leaf, leaf, flower…etc.
Physical Activities
For children above one year, you can play some simple games like run and catch, hide and seek, throw the ball to engage them in physical activity. Adults can also do some simple exercises like jogging in the garden and the child will follow them. This is a good time to engage with your child in physical play and help them to channelise their energies in the constructive way.
Nature is a world itself and a child closer to nature will develop skills and attitude which will enable him to conquer the world and become a balanced personality.
