In this episode of Illinois STAR NET Regions I&III's (http://starnet.org/home/) podcast, Resource Specialist Jodi Knapp (j-knapp@wiu.edu) discusses the importance of exploring the world with children through walks around their environment. Let's go on a walk with Jodi.
Transcript
When was the last time you took a walk as an adult and explored the natural environment? When you have a few minutes go outside for a short walk. Be intentional, pay attention to everything around you. Perhaps take a camera, iPad or iPod with you to record what you see.
When you get back, reflect on what you observed.
When I took a walk around the block several weeks ago with the intention of exploring in this exact way, I saw a slug and its silvery trail, I saw butterflies, and crickets, a dragonfly, and colorful flowers. I saw a fuzzy caterpillar, trees starting to change colors, a plant with a cricket on its’ multi-colored leaves, mushrooms growing in a damp spot, and interesting spider webs. As I turned and the sun was to my back I saw my shadow and the shadow of a tree.
As I finished up my walk, I smiled as I thought of all of the amazing insects, plants, and trees I had observed. And then I wondered if I had seen all of these things, how many more things would children see? And would they have wanted to stop and explore them?
Would they have stopped to watch the ants busy working in their ant hill? Or noticed the pile of rocks and asked what were they going to be used for? Would they ask about the different sizes of flowers, wondering why some are so small and some are so big? Would the spider web hidden inside of the plant have caught their eye? When they looked up would they have noticed how the sun lit the clouds up into pastel colors and how sometimes the clouds were dark storm clouds? And I wonder what they would have thought when they noticed the butterfly on the dandelion, since we all know the dandelion is the official flower of young children! Dr. Sylvia Chard is quoted as saying, “Young children are inquisitive. They ask questions, wonder about things, and like to investigate interesting phenomena in their world.” So how can we support children in exploring the world around them, especially when sometimes we might feel that we are missing out when we do not have some of the most current equipment, materials, or spaces to provide children with opportunities to explore. The truth is we can assist the children in their exploration of their world by taking walks and talking about what everyone is seeing. Stopping for children to have the time to explore, providing them with tools for exploration, and showing children your own wonderment when you look at the natural environment all help children to pay closer attention to the world around them. When you head out for a walk with children be sure to bring tape measures, rulers, digital cameras, iPads or iPods, clip boards, pencils, crayons, magnifying glasses, and tweezers or tongs. Of course, you will want to provide the children with a gentle reminder that we have to be careful with the natural environment…we have to leave flowers and leaves on their bushes and trees, and we need to allow worms and crickets to crawl and jump away from us. Be sure the children know though that you can take pictures of these items! If you are unable to take a walk in the natural environment near your school or home, you may want to bring some of these items inside the classroom or to a designated space in your building or home so children may explore the items. Having the tools for exploration available in the designated space indoors is essential as well. Dr. Lilian Katz speaks to the value of encouraging young children to explore their world. According to Dr. Katz, “[We need to] Provide lots of opportunities for children’s natural curiosity to manifest itself. With very young children."<