Whenever possible, head outside and explore the multisensory
world of nature in all its glory. Too often these days, we are overly dependent
on our eyes and, as a result, closed to luscious scents, birdsong, or the
feeling of dirt between our toes. An emotional connection with nature is built
on a foundation of firsthand experience that taps into the full sensory range.
For kids, consider setting up a short outdoor rope course and invite them to
navigate it barefoot and blindfolded, perhaps identifying landmarks along the
way. Or ask them to close their eyes and name every sound they can hear at
different points along a forest stroll. Nighttime walks, preferably in a
natural place like a park, forest, or beach, are another magnificent way to
engage neglected senses. For a bounty of other sensory-expanding ideas, check
out books like Joseph Cornell’s “Sharing Nature With Children” (Dawn, 1998), or
Jennifer Ward’s “I Love Dirt! (Trumpeter, 2008).
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