Mason and Nona’s Nature Board
“Our challenge isn’t so much to teach children about the natural world, but to find ways to sustain the instinctive connections they already carry.”
Terry Krautwurst
Coasting down the long driveway on our bikes, Mason suddenly hits his foot brakes! “Nona, look, a bird’s nest!” Excitedly, we drop our bikes on the ground and rush over to a small patch of grass. Lying there, tipped slightly to one side is a tiny nest. Delicate pieces of pine straw and dried grass are tightly woven together, creating a sturdy home. Kneeling shoulder to shoulder, we study it, quietly holding a sacred space of wonder.
Then the questions begin. How many baby birds lived here? Where were they now, where are their parents and what if there were still eggs in it when we found it? Embedded in this lively discussion is a sense of being part of something bigger than ourselves…even if just for a moment. We gently lift the nest and carry it to the garage. On the wall is our nature board. Pinning the nest in a place of honor, we stand back and admire it.
Nature adventures are a regular activity for us. Whether walking, hiking or biking, we explore the neighborhood, the local elementary school and county park. Last fall we started a collection of the treasures we picked up on our outings. Each time we found a new element, we pinned it on our board–nature’s bulletins! We began a ritual of counting and naming each item, then remembering where and when we found each one.
Small leaves were caught in the air as they fell, riding a gust of wind. Large leaves floated down the tiny creek in the woods, and the feathers dotted our front yard and duck pond at the park. Small twigs with dried blue-gray moss stood out against the matted leaves covering a well-worn path. Gumball tree pods lie scattered on the edge of the road, calling to us on our most recent ride. With deep satisfaction, Mason proclaims how “great it is that so many are not squished by cars!” Clumps of dried moss rest in the woods. Being outside, away from screen time of any kind, provides the opportunity to notice the little things. Feet, hands and eyes on the earth.
These experiences have a peaceful quality about them. We collect, count and share memories of all we have witnessed. Mostly we connect. All the while there is a subconscious learning at work and we experience joy, astonishment and …wait for it …fun!
What will we discover next?
“If we want children to flourish, to become truly empowered, then let us allow them to love the earth before we ask them to save it. Perhaps this is what Thoreau had in mind when he said, “the more slowly trees grow at first, the sounder they are at the core, and I think the same is true of human beings.”
David Sobel
