Adults often look at a nature-filled setting and see a beautiful background for their activities: a family reunion, a cookout, or a shady spot to read a book.  Young children look at the same setting and see what interactions it affords: throwing rocks into the river, picking dandelions, pretending under a pine bough hideout, etc.  Keep this in mind when you set out to garden this spring with your preschooler.  After a time of burying seeds, you'll soon see that what young children really want to do in dirt is dig, dig, dig.  They want to see how deep they can go, discover what treasures they can find, imagine a tunnel that goes over to the neighbor's. This is not to discourage you from taking them out to garden with you, but be ready to direct your little one to a place where less 'garden-friendly' activities are welcome.  Find a spot where your child can just dig and dig without ever having to fill the hole back up.  This is the type of play which builds positive memories about being outdoors that last a lifetime. 

"Regular positive interactions within nature allow children to feel comfortable in it, develop empathy with it and grow to love it." (more...)

Let Roslyn Rutabaga and the biggest hole on earth by Marie-Louise Gay inspire your family!