Just for Kids!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I have been an advocate of engaging children with the outdoors and nature ever since the early 1980's when my children were young.  In my early parenting years as a mom to three sons, I decided to quit a good state job with a pension to be a full-time mom, and then as they headed off to school, worked in the school system for several years, assisting children with learning difficulties.  

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Parents and educators through the generations know that outdoor and nature activities help children develop a quest for learning, an inquisitive nature and a love for most creatures in the animal and plant kingdoms.  Introducing children at a very young age to the great outdoors, and ensuring it is integral in your family’s lifestyle, nurtures a lifetime of dedication to and conservation of our natural resources.  Creating experiences that make children eager to continue with the activity, and adopt more, is also vital to success.  I am also acutely aware that offering advice to parents on how to raise their kids is treading on dangerous ground; similar to telling my brothers, all three with advanced degrees in civil engineering, how to build a bridge or a dam!  So, I will attempt to provide words of encouragement without offending or alienating you…at least that is the goal!

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Each child is different, with his/her own internal mechanisms that determine his/her interests.  As a parent, we have the ability to shape and inspire, and act as a role model. Young children perceive what we do as the norm, and typically want to emulate whatever we are doing.  But it is essential that we have the ability to pivot, because again, each child is different, and what one child enjoys, the other may not – and the goal is the gift of enthusiasm.  The outstanding news is that the list of activities available to inspire our children, while not endless, is pretty expansive, and one activity can lead to the introduction of a multitude of environmental discussions and hand-on activities. 

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Take gardening as an example – gardening helps children learn responsibility, cause-and-effect and a greater understanding and appreciation of where food comes from.  There is so much life to explore in the garden – flora and fauna alike!  Additionally, gardening offers opportunities to discuss and demonstrate organic versus chemical applications, soil conservation and sustainable gardening, water conservation and pollution, pollinators and the plant species that support them, beneficial and destructive insects that either support or impair gardening efforts, just to name a few.  The knowledge and experience that your child gains from these activities boosts self-confidence, which is a building block to future successful endeavors! 

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​I am dedicating this page to parents/grandparents who are interested in instilling, or continuing an already established objective, a planet Earth ambassador-like attribute in your children, but like most folks, have limited time to research resources.  I am in the process of scouring the Internet to find information and exercises that can be utilized to introduce and promote nature/outdoor activities for your munchkins!

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Work-in-Progress

This page is a work-in-progress.  Keep checking back, as I will continue to work on this page as I have time to find and add more resources.  My goal is to keep the page updated with local events and activities in the Central Iowa region of the state.  

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In addition, if you find great resources, use our Contact Us page to reach out and provide the resource to me, and I will add it to the list!

 

Feedback

I hope you find at least some of the resources beneficial!  If you have the time, I would greatly appreciate feedback on the the information provided, so this page can be of value to parents and children alike!  Please use our Contact/Subscribe page to send the feedback via email!