Summer Break is Here

Breathing hot humid air down our backs and striking up an unexpected thunderstorm or two. But, that doesn’t mean you should cower inside with the ac blasting.

Take your kids on a hike. Any hike will do. But, here is the important part. The part we adults have a problem with, an addiction to, we just can’t help ourselves…stop leading!

Ah! Yes, you read that right.

STOP LEADING

What does that mean? Stop leading the hike. Let the kids lead. Let them go first. Let them be in charge.

STOP DEFINING EVERYTHING

Stop telling your kids what they are seeing and instead you ask them lots and lots of leading questions.

Phenology Book is a field booklet to get them started.

You have a lot of experience with this if you have ever had a three year old.

Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?

Just go on a hike and enjoy watching and learning from your child.

Ask them what they think the tree should be called. When my kids were little a lot of trees were named Steve.

Ask them what they would call a cicada? My kids said cicadas should be called Noisy with big red eyes.

Need to find a hiking trail that is great for kids just getting started?

Sharon Woods‘ trail around the lake is paved, pleasant, and mostly flat.

Beaver Creek Wildlife Area is mostly a boardwalk over the wetland. There are a lot of insects, birds, and mammals here but since it is a wetland the best time to go is early in the morning before it heats up.

Gilmore MetroPark is full of birds and water. This is a trail that heats up through the day so go early.

Caldwell Preserve is wooded and a cool retreat on a warm day. Trails do go up and down hills but nothing a rambunctious child can’t easily handle.

Cincinnati Nature Center is also wooded and hilly for many of its trails plus they have the Nature’s Playground.

If you need more help on getting started hiking buy my book through this link and let me know who to inscribe it to.