Mother and Child Reunion: Earth Day Series
It hardly seems fair.
Every week, the moon has her own day: “Monday” in English; in Spanish “lunes” reminds us of lunar events.
But Mother Earth gets just one day per year? Well, let’s make the most of it. We declare it Earth Day all week at MommyGarten.com.
We’ll tell you tips to help your baby, toddler, or preschooler grow and play outdoors — and the developmental benefits for doing so.
Infants
It’s easy to forget how unknown each new experience is to a baby. A baby born above the equator in the cold months (November to February, usually) has probably been carefully shielded from outdoor breezes. Within a few months postpartum, she will be ready to catch an outdoor wave of fresh air. When the wind taps her on the shoulder, ruffles Mommy’s hair, or dislodges dandelion seeds, baby will be interested and observant. That means she’s thinking and noticing (cognitive development).
Toddlers
So she has mastered your cool tiles and wooden floors, eh? Walking around, chasing siblings, bouncing up like a rubber band whenever her footing fails her. But does she know what a back yard really is? Has she felt the silky tickle of blades of grass between her toes, or felt how Mother Nature’s carpet pads the thud of her tentative feet? I think it’s time, Mommy. Now, in the spring, before the stickers hatch in the summer heat. Learning more about her body and how it feels when she goes outdoors will not only enhance her motor development today, but that body awareness will help her enjoy sports later in life.
Preschool-age
God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt. That’s what your kid thinks, anyway. Don’t fight it, Mommy. Save your energy for the “Mudpies are not really pies so you shouldn’t try to eat them” debate. Dirt and water offer a rudimentary chemistry lab lesson. Children will adjust the “recipe” until their mudpies are the texture, size, and shape they desire. Making their own prop for pretend play shows great resourcefulness. Please encourage it – let them make pie! Then let them hose off before coming inside.
It’s Earth Day all week at MommyGarten.com! Check back tomorrow for more child development tips and research-based information.
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Carly Jennings | Social Development | 
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