The virtues of the small.

I’m never happier than when I’m jumping into a stream or kneeling down in the mud to explore nature up close. Recently, I was having a great chat with one of my ‘Wildkids’ parents about my nature livestreams (check them out on youtube and Facebook). They were saying how their 5 year old couldn’t stop talking about frogs after watching a tadpole session at their preschool. He insisted on having the video on replay at home too! Knowing that I’m able to introduce nature and sustainability at a young age is the reason I do what I do. And the truth is, often it’s the tiniest things that kids find fascinating in nature.

You don’t need a huge back yard, or even the opportunity to get out into the bush or woodland with kids to have an explore (although it’s fantastic if you can). There is nature to be found everywhere if you look for it.

If you live in an apartment in a built up area, or your child care centre is in the middle of a city, it’s easy to think that nature exploring is limited. Loads of my Wildkdids families are in this position and I always say that you don’t live next door to a national park to be a nature explorer. There is plenty to see and take in right where you live, or just around the corner.

Sure you might not see a Koala up every tree, Wallabies bouncing through your clean washing or even a bear in your veggie patch (for my northern hemisphere friends) but I assure you the nature is still there.

From tiny flowers growing in a grass verge on the side of the road, to the flys, beetles and bugs scurrying around on concrete. Not to mention all the birds on roof tops, back gardens and in the trees in the local play area. You will see plenty.

Please don’t feel you have to be David Attenborough to teach your kids about what you find. . Children are fascinated by it all. Try looking closely at a flower with a magnifying glass. Or putting worms into a soil filled jar to see the patterns they create. Download a backyard bird spotting treasure hunt sheet and make your own safari. You could even make your own pooter to catch and release a small bug. For how to videos on all of these activities go to my YouTube channel.There is so much joy and learning to be found in the smallest of things.

Click on this link for a free bug spotting treasure hunt.

https://dedicated-originator-9132.ck.page/44f200475a

And if you do get the opportunity to explore the great wild outdoors, don’t forget to look for the small things there too.