CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — There is an infinite number of reasons being a grandparent is such a blessing. For me, the greatest blessing is watching my grandson, 4-year-old Charlie, explore the world outdoors. It is like living my own childhood all over again, except now I don’t take the excitement, the fun and the wonders of nature for granted as I did then. I truly understand and appreciate what it means for his future.
Admittedly, I did not do everything right when I was the Dad of two young girls. But there is one thing I now know I did do right – I got them outside and allowed them to explore the natural world. Charlie’s Mom, Priscilla, has passed that love of outdoor adventure to Charlie ten times over.
In an age dominated by screens and structured schedules, it is one of the most valuable gifts we can give our children. You don’t have to go far. A tiny trickling stream that is just out your back door or down the street will do. There is life waiting to be discovered there, if you teach them how to look for it.
Whether it is a shallow puddle, a babbling brook or a huge ocean, it is a ready-made science lab waiting to be discovered. Kids who wade into a stream or ocean surf aren’t just getting their feet wet – they are building a foundation in biology, ecology, and environmental awareness.
But we grown-ups are being very tricky because they don’t know they are learning – they just know it’s fun.
They might watch a frog leap into the water, spy the ripples made by a fish, or marvel at how dragonflies skim across the surface. They will never find or experience these moments reading a textbook or swiping through screens on an iPad.
Be prepared for a million questions. That’s all part of the learning. I bet you will learn things along with them.
Why do fish need plants? Where do tadpoles go? Why does it hurt so bad when you get pinched even by a tiny crab or crawdad?
Skipping rocks, catching critters or balancing on slippery stones engage the mind and muscles. Experts say that fresh air and sunshine even contribute to better sleep and stronger immune systems. I know that exploring the natural world gives kids a rare sense of freedom and ownership. In his few short years I’ve watched Charlie’s horizons expand from the days when he rarely wanted to let go of Mommy’s hand, to now, when we watch as he ventures far away in search of something new to explore – sometimes too far away for Mommy’s liking.
I know that he is learning to appreciate the things I hold dear – open spaces, wild places and wild things. He might live in a concrete jungle, but even at 4-years-old he is learning how to escape.
His Dad is teaching Charlie to love sports. I have learned that watching 4-year-olds play T-ball is far more entertaining than any MLB game I’ve ever watched (which is rare).
But thanks to his Mom and Dad, I can already see that my grandson is going to be extremely well-rounded – enjoying the so-called “organized sports,” as well as the totally unorganized natural world.
He is lucky. There is a small lake in his subdivision. Routinely he is already often bugging Mom and Dad to take him fishing. The day will come all too soon when they have to, or want to, let him go alone.
That day will be scary for them, but I hope it will also make them proud. It does me.
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