There are many reasons for bringing nature into your home.  It promotes children’s creativity, knowledge, and even relaxation.  The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has a wonderful article on the “Why’s” and “How’s” of bringing nature inside at https://www.naeyc.org/tyc/article/connecting-young-children-with-nature  


Today we concentrate on two of those reasons.
- Connecting and continuing outdoor learning, exploration, and memories with items brought home from the great outdoors.
- Providing a nurturing indoor environment for your child/family.


A Nature Table
Tried and true, even a small nature table or shelf provides a place for that special rock found at the family picnic. Add a vase and see the beautiful dandelion bouquet. There may be a few special items that stay, but like nature, the table should be seasonal and change as what your child is seeing and finding changes.


A Water Nature Table (a small dish tub is plenty large enough)
Children are naturally drawn to water. This may not be something you have out all the time, and of course water play should be supervised because even a small container is a danger if you have very young children. But for preschool age children regular play with nature items and water is mesmerizing. Try different items (or a mixture) in the container – rocks, petals, leaves, pinecones, acorns, shells, sticks, bark – and empty the water out when the play is done.

Indoor Rock Garden
If you are a rock lover like me, this is fun for any age. Again, if you have very young children you may have to wait on this one, but for preschoolers having a small area, perhaps in a corner, along a wall, or on the porch to keep, arrange, and rearrange your collection of rocks adds interest and beauty to your home. I have some young friends who added small plants in little pots to the area. Learning to care for living things is a great way to build empathy.

These are just a few ideas to add the captivation and beauty of nature to your home. If you are interested in some great nature activities to do with you child,
Sarah of How Wee Learn has searched the web and made a fabulous list of indoor nature activities for kids. Find it here:
http://www.howweelearn.com/indoor-nature-activities-kids/


Photo credits: Pamela Evans. The picture of the wonderful water table was from the preschool classroom at Irvine Nature Preschool in Owings Mills, MD
http://www.explorenature.org/nature-preschool/about-the-nature-preschool/