Simple ways for children to enjoy and explore the changing year
Nature is a healer. Even a short trip to the woods, river, beach or local park can help lift the spirit. There are many simple ways to introduce children to nature’s ever-changing beauty – so get them outdoors, encourage them to record all the wonderful sights and sounds around them and seek out books that celebrate the seasons.
Here are my top tips for making the most of mother nature in your area.
Four ways to celebrate the seasons
- Take a closer look
Take time to take a closer look at nature when you’re out and about. Look at the shape colour and texture of branches, leaves and bark. Notice how light reflects on the water. See how even the simplest of flowers is made up of several intricate parts.
- Take a photo
Zoom in on vibrant blossoms, flower beds and berries. Snap your favourite view throughout the year to see how it changes with the seasons.
- Listen closely
Stop for a moment to listen to the sounds around you. What can you hear – birdsong, bees, maybe waves breaking on shingle? Use your phone to record these sounds and play them back whenever you want to relive that special moment in time.
- Share a story
Check out your local library or bookstore for picture books about the seasons. Some, like the Thinking about the Seasons series, celebrate the joy of each season. Others, like the box set: A Year in Brambly Hedge, highlight special customs and festivities. Many also use the passage of the seasons to explore changing emotions and life experiences, for example, Boundless Sky, If All The World Were… and The Girl with the Parrot on Her Head.
You can find more book ideas in these seasonal searches on Toppsta and Letterbox Library.
So, whatever the weather, put aside some time each day to celebrate the seasons.