Asking your kids to be adventurers in nature during frosty autumn days can be tricky when they might be reluctant to venture out. So this week, rather than frogmarch my children around the garden and paddocks insisting that they be ‘outdoor warriors’, I set them the task of finding the simple in nature. All that was needed, I explained, was to observe and record what they saw around them. You know what? They found beauty in places I wouldn’t have thought to look and stayed out for hours, even when a thunderstorm loomed. Why not encourage your children to do the same? It doesn’t matter what your outdoors might be. Wonder can be found everywhere. All they need is a digital camera or if that’s not to hand, a journal and a pencil. Here’s some of the simple joy my two found.
A globe artichoke gone to flower
Stunning Red Gum wood for the fire
The last rose of the season
Leaves as art
Crab apples ready to become jelly
Boots and petals as art
A gate to swing on
The view from inside a Pin Oak
Grape Vine
Yet another pumpkin
“Lying on the grass, letting the leaves fall on your head.”
Love it, Caro. Sometimes, we (parents) need to remember not to be goal-oriented when we head outside. My kids continually amaze me with their interests & discoveries.
Oozing Autumn 🙂 I love the picture of the gate, it made me think of my parents scolding me for swinging on gates at the non hinge end!
Thank You Caro, for sharing their adventures with Us! I Love the Artichoke Flower…believe it or not, I have Never seen one! So bright and Beautiful, and My Favorite color to boot! They are so Lucky to have You and the Farm. And I am encouraged by the simplicity of their Joy!! ALL Children should have experiences like these!
Love this! Keeping life very rich and simple.
I walk my son to school and I always have to allow extra time for all the things he loves to discover along the way. Today it was a black and orange furry caterpillar and leaves from a jacaranda tree – what a great way to learn. Congratulations on your win that’s just been announced by The Sydney Writer’s Centre