Too often these days, children’s encounters with nature are dominated by a look-but-don’t-touch directive. Nature connection depends on firsthand, multisensory encounters. It’s a messy, dirty business—picking leaves and flowers, turning over rocks, holding wriggling worms, splashing in ponds. Rather than telling kids “no” all the time when they want to climb a tree, throw a rock, or step into a muddy pond, take a deep breath and offer words of encouragement. Don’t worry so much about the dirt and scrapes. Clothes and bodies can be washed, cuts heal.
from the Book "How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature"
by Scott D. Sapmson
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