Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Late Fall Kinderhike by the Sea

Help him get used to a new place.
So, you have a new toddler, or maybe you are watching a niece or nephew, or grandchild, and you want to get out of the house.  Maybe you take the child for a walk around the block, or maybe you embark on a new adventure--the nature hike with toddler--the Kinderhike.  You could push the stroller around the block, or...

You can leave the stroller behind (or push it, empty) and let the toddler roam through wild places, learning the sensations of the seasons, the feel of fall, the sound of birdsongs, the sweet scent of autumnal decay, the lift of the atmospheric pressure just before rain, the chill of the air at sunset...I could go on, but I think you get it.

Walking is a new thing for this toddler!  His cousins help out.
Don't worry!  Mom won't let you fall!


Toddlers like to touch things as you hike.  Let them!
Even a handful of rough sand...
is exciting to a toddler!
You can make sure they feel secure in any new environment.


Introduce new things--like this reed--gently, letting her smell as well as feel it.

The most important thing is being outdoors with them.  Make a Kinderhike a regular part of your schedule!

1 comment:

pdf said...

Just watched a program about the brain. It mentioned if you live near a cobblestone side walk or street, your brain develops a bigger map because the brain has to readjust with every step for balance as opposed to a flat pavement. So applying this to the toddler going hiking must absolutely develop brain power!Rocks, sand, balance,color of leaves sound of water and wind, you get the idea. Liked your article.