3 Paradoxes Kids Learn from Wild Place
We recently took our kids out into the woods and I was reflecting on some of the seemingly contradicotry lessons that kids learn while being, not just outside, but in completely wild places.
Risk & Wisdom
In wild places there are times when kids will want to jump on rocks, climb trees and push themselves in ways they haven’t before. On playground equipment, everything is carefully calibrated to not create injury. In the wild, there are no safe guards. Kids get to feel the rush of going up against an indifferent and hostile environment and many times conquering it. At the same time, we teach our kids to respect the power of nature. We don’t just send our kids into a river with no training, we don’t let them climb up a tree with tons of dead branches. They will learn their limits while learning to navigate a versatile terrain.
Stealth and Exuberance
If you want to see any creatures in the wild, you’ll have to teach your kids the art of silence. This is something that most kids (at least mine) are not super good at. The practice of walking quietly and not talking is an important lesson for kids to learn. At the same time, wild places are the perfect place to use their outside voice. So take some time to encourage both next time you are out in the wild.
Agility & Stillness
Kids will test their physical abilities whenever they get the chance. Allow them to jump from boulder to boulder, swing and run. They are learning important motor skills when they are navigating uneven terrain. Then teach them to sit still and observe. Have them look at the closest things to themselves. Notice the colors, textures and details. Then focus far away and scan the horizon. What do they notice when they are sitting still and observing?
Resourcefulness and Stewardship
In the wild, we can use tons of different things to help create a comfortable environment for camping or just sitting. Teach them to use sticks and rocks to create shelters or benches. The woods are filled with useful tools and you can even teach them to forage for wild edibles if you are skilled in that area. You can carve sticks, create lean-tos, bow and arrows, etc. While teaching that nature is a great resource, we must teach our kids to take care not to damage the environment. We leave no trace and we don’t unnecessarily destroy.
So get out there and lead your children into some wild places and observe what other things your kids will learn.
