On My Desk – Being Mindful in Nature
Exposure to the outdoors and ecology is important in early childhood and can even encourage them to be mindful in nature. Kids can develop a positive relationship with the outdoors from a young age and become more mindful of it.
“Choosing to read books about nature topics to your children can help them understand more about the environment, build their interest in and curiosity about nature, and may even lead them to want to take action to help protect the planet.” Read more about this at the ecohappinessproject here.
Children as Nature Activists
I’ve drafted an alphabet book that will encourage kids to be mindful in nature, and it’s a bit different from other books like this. For one, it has a nature loving child on each page who’s very conscientious about our good earth. There is also a fun animal sidekick that joins each activist child. The story explains many nature concepts that kids might be familiar with in a fun, lyrical way.
This charming, and often humorous, book takes children on an alphabetical expedition from the Arctic air to the mystical moon to xeriscaping and more. Tapping into their five senses, children and adults will yearn to get outside and not only explore nature, but honor, protect, and enjoy it.
Happy Healthy Kids – New Book Series
You can learn more about this book in progress by checking out the Books page on my website, @gracelynkeyskids.com/books#happyhealthykids.
~ Also, see another one of my blog’s on why Nature is a Positive Thing for Kids.
Are your kids learning how to be mindful in nature?
#happyhealthykids
Fun Fact About Me – Practicing Mindfulness in Nature
I love to be outside in nature and enjoy a daily walk outside everyday in all kinds of weather. But one of the things that I enjoy the most is to be mindful in nature. This means that I absorb the beautiful scenery while I’m walking outside. I try to use my five senses to do this. For example, I might taste a berry, an edible leaf, or a dandelion. I’ll look for certain signs of animals, birds, and insects.
Learning About Trees and Birds
Additionally, I study the trees and bushes around me too. Purchasing a few pamphlets to get to know the Michigan trees and birds in Michigan better has helped me become more familiar with them. I can recognize quite a few of them in various seasons now. Touching their different barks becomes a lesson to share with our grandkids.
Listening to Birds
Also, listening to the birds is one of my favorite things to do outside. We have several varieties that make their home in our rural backyard. Two of them are blue herons, which make an unusual honking sound when you get near or when they are flying. And, we have a group of wild turkeys, and the hens will call out when you’re anywhere near their nest. The male will even gobble-gobble. Other birds that can be seen or heard are robins, blue jays, wrens, geese, ducks, and many more.
Bad Aromas Too
And oh, the smells! Sometimes, these are not pleasant aromas, as we live in a farming community with planted fields behind our property. And once-in-a-while, we can smell that foul odor from a skunk that sprayed. LOL
How are you able to be mindful in nature?
#wishingyouhealthandwellness
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