If you find yourself in Disney World this weekend for spring break (lucky you!) be sure to check out an Earth Month event geared at kids, but interesting for the whole family.
The Disney Kids and Nature Celebration, held today through Saturday, will address, among other things, the relationship between kids and nature today. Top experts will be in Orlando for the event (which includes a day-long youth summit and the screening of its upcoming movie Chimpanzee) to discuss why kids need nature (and vice versa!):
From the release:
"According to Richard Louv, a Disney partner and author of the bestselling books Last Child in the Woods (compare prices) and The Nature Principle (compare prices), every child needs nature. Not exactly a groundbreaking revelation - but certainly one that poses challenges when you look at your weekly calendar (where'd the white space go?).
Here's some advice we can take away from his philosophy and the bigger discussion in Orlando:
- Get nostalgic. Take a moment to talk to a grandparent - or even a peer - about his or her favorite nature memories from childhood - was it skipping stones? A favorite picture book about elephants? Drawing horses? Climbing trees? These simple memories might be enough to remind you just how easy it can be to make nature part of your own parenting style.
- Think manageable. Connecting kids with nature doesn't require a family trip to Yellowstone (phew). What it really takes is getting your kids curious about animals, wildlife and the outdoors - the world beyond their house and school. What do baby turtles eat? Why do leaves change colors? How do fish breath underwater? What kind of insect is that in your backyard? Hikes, museums, books and videos can all help spark that fascination.
- Teach early lessons. Intuitively, we know kids need to learn about and appreciate nature. But what are the real benefits? For one, it's a sensory explosion for their young minds. Reading about how birds build nests, watching a baby elephant play, touching a sheep's coat, smelling a rose or digging a carrot out of the soil -- all of this stimulates curiosity in young minds.
More important, however, is that it instills a love of nature. And if our kids love nature - won't they be more likely to protect it?"
Does your preschooler like nature and being outside? Will you be in Disney World during the Kids and Nature Celebration?
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