Introduction

I have seen the way a child's eyes light up when they witness a miracle happen in nature. When a butterfly emerges from a chrysalis, when they hear the cracks as they step on a frozen puddle, or even just when they can find two different leaves lying side-by-side on the ground. Children display a passion for learning about the natural word around them, which is easy enough to spark just by stepping into a backyard or a park. The key is to catch quick teachable moments in a child's outdoor play, which is naturally curious exploration, and make sure to take advantage of them.

I have been grabbing hold of these opportunities with children in my life, giving them information to help guide their thoughts as they play and delve deeper into their nature investigations. As I'm moving forward, taking on more children in after-school programs, I want to make these themes and methods available for others to adopt, adapt, or at least find amusement with my anecdotes. As I explore and play with these children and our beautiful Vermont landscape I will post my adventures, which I hope can give you inspiration to guide more explayration in your children's everyday lives.