IWU Environmental Wellness: Safer Path: Tuning in to Backyard Wonders

From the sidelines of my daughter’s soccer game this glorious almost-fall day I watched a most amazing site. A gust of wind swept a pile of papers from some unfortunate owner. Instead of scattering them, the currents swept them skyward. Higher and higher they spiraled along invisible tornado-like coils, glimmering like heavenly birds. It was a beautiful sight. After maybe five minutes, it was clear these lofty papers were lost to the sky.

The incredulous event reminded me what natural wonder surrounds us. We simply need to pay attention. And like Dorothy of Oz, we need look no further than our own backyard. Unfortunately, many of us are like rusty Tin Man when it comes to tuning in. Walled-up inside nearly 24/7, the precious few moments spent outside we’re often “lost in thought”. Our mental baggage tags along blocking our view. To demonstrate this, naturalist Joseph Cornell once asked his 25 workshop participants to observe a beautiful tree and raise a hand when their attention wandered. In only six seconds every hand was up. Being preoccupied with our internal world means we miss a whole lot of wonder right under our nose. Try these simple activities to help you tune in. Most are easy enough for children too.

Sitting With Your Senses - Modern culture teaches us to favor “seeing” over other senses. This activity will help you awaken your body more fully. First, sit outside in a quiet spot in your backyard or nearby park. Imagine yourself in the center of a circle. Mentally draw the perimeter of the circle, and spend 2-3 (or more) minutes observing the happenings inside the circle. If possible, jot down everything you see. Next, close your eyes and experience the inner circle, allowing at least 2 minutes. Stay focused on feeling your surroundings. Journal your observations. The non-seeing experience is often much richer, including more sounds, smells, and feelings. Also try doing this at night under the blanket of darkness. When I tried this recently I was startled by the screech of owls.

Blind Walk - This is great activity to do with children and adults alike. You’ll need a partner and a blindfold. Blindfold one person, and have the partner guide them along a path with many sensory opportunities: mysterious smells (leaves, flowers), strange sounds (birds, insects), interesting textures (bark, nuts, rocks). Remind the blindfolded person how to use their senses to explore objects. It helps to clear and quiet the mind before starting by telling or reading a nature story. Switch places. Most explorers can hardly wait to retrace their step. Talk about your experience.

Changing Seasons - Find a place to keep visiting every season (even winter). If possible keep a journal of each visit, writing, drawing, or even photographing what you see. Perhaps a child could be mindful of the changes along the walk to school, noting plants, trees, or animal activity. I’ve enjoyed revisiting a favorite spot at Weldon Springs State Park with my daughter and friends. Today’s towering prairie grass, perfect for hide-and-seek, was an eclectic knee-high meadow in spring. The kids love to “go creeking” (wading) in the shallow wetlands, scooping up underwater wonders - like frogs, tadpoles, and other cool bugs. Recently the cattails were “ripe” enticing the kids to gather the “fluff of seeds” and spread them like the wind. We marveled at how many seeds burst from a single cattail.

Contour Nature Drawing - An artist I know loves teaching contour drawing because, she says, it helps us see the marvelous cracks, bumps and other extraordinary details of ordinary things that we would otherwise miss. You’ll need only a paper and pencil, or sand tray and finger (or stick). Sit outside and look at an interesting nature object, like a tree, leaf, flower, butterfly. Slowly trace the outside or contour of the object. Don’t look down at your drawing. And don’t worry what the final product looks like. Just observe and trace until you come full circle. Note your observations.

Window Leaf Painting - Bring the beauty of fall leaves indoors with this colorful activity that even young children can do. Take a walk outside and collect different shapes and sizes of leaves. With washable tempera paints, apply paint with a brush to the vein side of the leaf. Next, press the painted leaf onto a clean glass window or door. Remove, and voila, a beautiful leaf imprint. Repeat using a variety of leaf shapes and colors. I do this activity every fall with my daughter on our sliding glass door and love the “warmth” it adds to our home as the outside air chills.

Resources:
“Sharing Nature with Children” and “Listening to Nature” books by Joseph Cornell. Other ideas for activities came from Michelle Covi and Julie Elzanati of Ecology Action Center in Normal IL, and Normal artist and teacher Bonnie Bernardi.