Taking babies for a walk: a good way to introduce nature?
@CornishAustin (147)
June 20, 2008 3:39pm CST
It's important that children learn about and explore the world around them, and develop an appreciation for wildlife.
Today, I noticed a parent taking their baby for a walk in a pram, and I thought this was an excellent way of introducing the younger ones to wildlife.
How would you introduce wildlife to your babies or children? I was thinking today that one of the best ways could be to take the baby out in a pram and when you come across, for example, a ladybird you could pick it up and show it to the baby. Obviously, don't give the ladybird to the baby as it might get eaten (the ladybird, not the baby!)
I am not a parent as yet, but that idea came to my head, inspired by noticing a parent taking their baby for a walk in the country.
Do you take your babies or children on walks? Do you notice them appreciating or showing some sort of interest in the wildlife around them?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I've always had a great love for nature and used to expose my kids to it whenever I could. I used to take my youngest daughter for walks when she was around 3 years old and we came across something interesting almost every time. The one that sticks in my mind was the blind cat. We didn't know he was blind at first. He was in his fenced in yard meowing and walking towards us so we stopped so we could say hello to him. When he got to the fence he bumped right into it which is when I realized that he was blind but he was very friendly so we petted him for a minute and went on our way. We saw him quite a few times and every time was the same. He would hear us coming and walk towards our voices until he bumped into the fence and then he got petted.
@CornishAustin (147)
•
20 Jun 08
Aww bless! I love cats, and it's always nice to have something like that along walks. I had my first cat when I was around 5 years later and I've always lived with them. I suppose that's why a cat would be the pet of choice for me!
@kezabelle (2974)
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20 Jun 08
To be honest I think we teach our children a lot without even thinking, especially as they get older and ask questions its natural to reply and help them understand about the world around them,
Even something as simple as sitting with your small baby/toddler and building some blocks for them to knock down is teaching them something even more so if you count as you do it, often its all the little things that make the bigger difference and mostly parents do it as it comes naturally
@CornishAustin (147)
•
20 Jun 08
You're right. I can see me as a future parent trying too hard to learn new things. Perhaps I should let it come naturally for those at a young age.
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
20 Jun 08
Yes, I used to take my children out for walks and point out different animals/insects/flowers etc. We used to go on 'mystery tours' and take picnics. As they got older we'd sometimes take the camera or notebooks and crayons. We'd also collect bits and pieces of interest to take home.
