In the era when digital screens tend to rule the world, it is deeply earthy, and magical, to enjoy nature with children. It can be the sighting of a butterfly or raking leaves or staring at the stars; time spent outdoors stimulates curiosity, fosters exercise and creates permanent memories.
Outdoor exploration is one of the most effective methods of combining fun, safety and learning among parents, caregivers, and educators. And using the right equipment, such as the MicroCam X1 of Littpopo, such nature walks can be transformed into an amazing learning experience, one that brings out the secrets that we normally miss in our day to day lives.
The Reason to go on the Exploring Nature with Children
Nature is not merely a setting to play in, it is also an effective teacher. Children develop focusing on the important cognitive, emotional, and social skills during their natural exploration of such concepts as a lifecycle of a plant or the animal tracks.
Children also feel more alert, confident and strong when they are outdoors. Research has also established that children who frequently spend time in nature tend to be more compassionate, attentive and creative.
Nature Scavenger Hunts
Make every walk an adventure. Make a simple list of natural objects e.g. pinecones, feathers, leaves of odd shapes, colored stones etc and send the children out to find them in the park, forest, or even your backyard.
In order to make it educative, ask follow-up questions:
- What color is the leaf?
- What shape is the rock?
- How does the object feel?
This promotes observation, critical thinking and building vocabulary.
MicroCam X1 with Micro Exploration with Littpopo
Curiosity can be converted to discovery using MicroCam X1, which is a miniature microscopic camera used to magnify the tiniest of things in nature, such as the finer veins of a leaf to the textured wings of an insect.
Children are fond of technology and learning with the MicroCam X1 is so touchy and exciting. Introduce macro observation safely by allowing kids to take close up shots of moss, bark, feathers or bugs which prompts them to ask science related questions and to imagine.
It is the ideal partner of people who want to make their daily walks micro-adventures.
Identification of Leaves and Trees
Provide children with a simple guide or a mobile application on the topic of trees and ask them to name the leaves, the texture of the bark, or the type of seeds. Get them to pick up some fallen leaves so that they can create collages or leaf rubbings in future at home.
Bonus idea: Make a tree passport, as they can be able to record the species they are finding.
Nature Journaling
Provide children with a small notebook so that they can take it as their nature outings. They are able to write down what they have seen, draw things or plants or paste things they have collected such as petals or feathers.
This enhances observational capabilities, inculcates writing habits and enables the children to reflect on what they learn later.
Bug & Insect Observation
Under supervision, allow children to take a soft look around the place where ants, ladybugs or caterpillars are and watch their activities. A magnifying glass- or better still, the MicroCam X1 - to see the details which they can not see with the naked eye.
Teach them to admire every creature and not to destroy anything they come across.
Sensory Walks
Practice mindfulness and request the children to pay attention to one sense at a time:
- What do you hear? Birds? Wind?
- What do you feel? Smooth stones? Rough bark?
- What can you smell?
This form of sensory discovery develops emotional intelligence and mindfulness among the young children.
Nature Art Projects
Use some natural objects such as twigs, leaves or flower petals in order to make some art. Children are allowed to create collages, paint rocks, or even create miniature houses of fairies out of objects collected.
Allow them to shoot micro shots of their art piece with the MicroCam X1 towards an innovative online album.
House of the Ushers and Moonwatching
Go out to explore the sky in the evening with skywatching. Learn about constellations, phases of the moon or just discuss what stars are. Younger children can like drawing what is in a sky journal.
Educating on Environmental Respect
Any outdoor activity is an opportunity to discuss environmental conservation. Train your children to pursue the principles of Leave No Trace:
- Being a robber of memories, a foot-trudger of footprints.
- Do not disturb animals and plants.
- Always clean up trash
Responsible and respectful explorers are brought about by providing environmental consciousness at an early age.
The Activities of Exploration and Safety
When visiting nature, it is important to be safe with children. Here are some quick tips:
- Wear the right clothes in accordance with the weather and the terrain.
- Apply bug repellent and sunscreen.
- There should be water, snacks and a small first aid kit.
- Be on the safe, familiar paths.
- Watch children around water or thick woods.
- Examine ticks following walks in nature.
Littpopo is the reason why she believes in exploration of nature
We have a heart of assisting families and educators to have a more profound relationship with nature at Littpopo. This was the reason why we had designed the MicroCam X1 to make exploring nature with children more thrilling, visual and accessible.
With the deployment of outdoor learning and the use of intuitive technology, we will cultivate the future of explorers, scientists, and storytellers. Having such devices as the MicroCam X1 will allow all children to open their eyes, and open them literally!
Final Thoughts
One of the most fulfilling forms of combining play and learning with family is to investigate nature with children. Scavenger hunts, journaling, bug watching and leaf picking can all turn out to be an experience that is never forgotten.
The next time you are going out, take some curiosity with you--and a MicroCam X1, perhaps--too. Due to the nature of things, there is a story behind every rock, tree and raindrop, which just needs to be discovered.
