A beautiful quote continues to echo in my mind as COVID continues to rampage our country. My kiddos explore every little nook and cranny of our apartment complex, climbing trees and hiding in bushes they hadn’t really noticed in the past. Their little territory has grown and now encompasses the whole complex. They have been climbing, digging, hiding, slithering, escaping, in all manner of escapades right outside our door.
The same is true for our local parks. With playgrounds closed my kids have taken to scaling every tree they can find. They have discovered a particular bush that hides them from the main walk, and it has become their castle. Their little kingdom has expanded, and it is now a beautiful playground of nature and imagination.
The Value of becoming “master of your own small world”
We have to travel a distance to be with our extended family, so when we go we are often away for weeks. We love these trips, as our regular routines are out the window and it’s a party every day! Even so, our return brings with it a chance to relish our routines and normal life. My kids get so excited to sleep in their own beds, enjoy their little toys, bask in all things home. There is something comforting about being in your own space, settling down in the familiar.
Outside is no different. Kids love returning to paths that are familiar and known. It leads to a secure feeling of being in a safe space, allowing for them to feel more comfortable taking more risks and deep exploration. This can be powerful as kids can discover new connections, look more closely at the plants and bugs of their little spaces. It also helps kids pay attention and notice differences in their spaces, including seasonal changes and new life. Helping kids feel a connection to their space will also give them a sense of ownership and responsibility, giving them a chance to become better long term stewards of our world.
Exploring new places is valuable as well. It is always such an adventure to go exploring. We can get a sense of excitement and wonder as we enjoy new spaces, often paying attention to views and bigger picture beauty we forget about when we become familiar with them. I notice this when I am running. I am often much slower when I head down a path that I don’t know. It is fun and challenging to explore a new space, but I am a much slower runner. As these new paths become familiar, I can challenge myself to get faster. I remember landmarks and other little nuances of the trail that I start to pay attention to. With time these new places can become part of a familiar, expanding world.
What can we do to help our kids develop this deep connection with their spaces?
We want our kids to feel empowered with their exploration. So how do we get kids to feel this sense of becoming a master of their worlds?
- Adopt a tree by encouraging kids to find their own favorite tree to say hello to often.
- Give each kid their own space outside, and let them choose how to use the space. Should it have grass? Dirt? Become an outdoor kitchen?
- Plant a garden, and give kids choice on what to plant, responsibility to water.
- Make time to be free outdoors, and see where they naturally gravitate to.
- Give kids choice in where they go on your adventures, including which park or hike to enjoy.
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring and adventuring with your kids, and that they can become “masters of their own small worlds.”