Flowers, Children & Nature: A Natural Fit

Recently we took our 4-year-old granddaughter to your typical slide and swing park in New Jersey. It is always a delight to be with her. But her real joy (and, of course, ours) took place across the street at a garden displaying its June flowers. My granddaughter had visited before and proudly showed off the purples, pinks and blues. Gardening with one pot or a small garden connects children to nature. The plethora of books for children and gardening is also a bonus. From the 'how to' of planting seeds, caring for them, and enjoying the fruit or flower. Also, some garden books connect gardening to art and poetry.

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In The Garden With VanGogh Julie Merberg and Suzanne Bober ( 2002 Reed Businesses) will engage babies and pre-schoolers with vivid sunflowers and irises accompanied by short rhymes.

My Nature Page

It's true. There is a state forest next to my house. I do see some plants and animals that urbanites seldom enjoy . On the other hand, ask any city person who loves the natural world and he will tell you there is nature in the  city  that needs no forest, just a few minutes to notice it. Regardless of the turf, there is nature out there, just waiting for us.

The other day a coyote cub and raccoon must have crossed paths as the first played and jumped up the driveway, while the other lumbered down it. This morning a  couple frogs jumped pass the pool of water collecting in the wetlands, to take a swim in my granddaughter's wading pool. Nearby, the garter snakes were sunning on the boughs of the pine tree. It was a pretty normal morning on the edge of the forest.  Oh, and yesterday morning a fawn just losing its spots (it must have been about 4 months old) and sibling were gobbling greens for breakfast.

Share your nature sighting! Whether it is city or country, large or small, four-legged or eight, or no legs at all, it is  sure to get a,"Oh, my! I saw one of those...." Or even tell us where to go to see it.

Don't forget the wonderful colors of the season or the plants and trees that proudly show them off!

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Take A City Nature Walk by Jane Kirkland (ages 9-12)