This morning I have been thinking about children and nature. It began when I watched the formation of bubbles in the milk I was heating for my chai. All my attention was on the bubbles, and I felt quite happy!

When children are encouraged to mindfully observe nature and the natural phenomena in their daily lives, they bloom into being unfettered and secure individuals who are able to understand and appreciate the relationship of all things animate and inanimate.

A grounding in the active use of the senses with a sense of wonder and respect is the gift of this kind of attention. Of course, this requires adults who have the time and the inclination to make this a priority. How we convey this will depend on each parent’s inclination– little songs and stories can be part of it. But always a sense of joy and wonder. It seems such a small thing, but it can make all the difference.