Every child deserves good books.

Introducing your child to nature is one of the most precious gifts that you can give, and will last a lifetime.

Learning to appreciate nature through guided sensory exploration of the outdoors and later hearing and seeing those experiences come to life again on the pages of a picture book is a rewarding experience for young children.

If given the opportunity, children will bring the outdoors in on their own. Artifacts like sticks, rocks, flowers, insects, and animals can find their way into the house uninvited.

Nature sparks wonder in the minds of young children. They are thrilled by a falling snowflake, a budding flower, a tall tree, or a butterfly as it floats on the wind.

Make your selected nature-themed books relevant to your child’s experiences in his or her personal outdoor space through rhymes, songs, and other age-appropriate activities.

As your child observes nature’s pages, each season will speak of its wonders and lessons in the wildlife, plants, colors, scents, and sounds.

Create your own story based on the pictures in the books or create your own books based on your child’s experiences on a nature topic of interest. This activity is a way to capture nature’s moments in time.

From the Womb and Beyond

Babies in utero begin to hear sounds at around eighteen weeks gestation. It’s never too early to begin reading picture books about the natural world to your child. Make the sounds of the animals that are in the book. Show excitement about what you’re reading.

Early reading of picture books helps to lay a solid foundation for your child’s journey along the pathway of language and literacy.

Your Bundle of Joy

As your child becomes more alert to the environment, point out and talk about the sights and sounds experienced in nature, like a robin’s sweet song or the soft petals of a daffodil.

Your Curious Toddler

Exploration of the real world is thrilling for the child at this stage. Growth in vocabulary expands considerably as you describe nature’s surprises for your child. Respond to your child’s attempts to tell you about these encounters by listening and expanding on their words. Play a game of counting the dandelions in the yard.

Your Vivacious-Energetic Preschooler

Your child is now more interested in listening to and “reading” picture books about the natural world. What a great time to capitalize on the interests expressed, whether it’s a fascination with birds, bees, butterflies, the brilliance of the rainbow, the starry night sky or climbing trees.

Your child will likely attend to similarities and differences in nature like red squirrel, grey squirrel, or black squirrel, or the behaviors of different animals. He will also show interest in hanging a bird feeder or planting a butterfly garden.

Various collections or activities related to your child’s interests will help to enhance their thinking skills, oral language development, and early literacy connections.

Nature and the Family

There’s always something new on the pages of nature. The only requirements are to simply observe and enjoy with your family.

Talk about your nature excursions, and comparisons of them with the books you’re reading will help you support your child’s learning and build his world knowledge.

Nature benefits the whole family, as it has a calming effect on the mind and body, and it lifts the spirit.

Truly, Nature’s Pages are ever fresh and unfolding from the Creator.