Exploring Nature With A Child
A world of diverse and exotic life forms is awaiting discovery by you and your child, or group of children, at any nearby stream. And the best part is that you
needn't travel far, or spend lots of money on elaborate equipment to have fun exploring this aquatic realm.
What do you need to bring for your adventure?
- Footwear is an important component. Inexpensive rubber boots work well for wading in small, shallow
streams, but you may prefer to wear old sneakers and get your feet wet, especially in warm weather! Going barefoot isn't usually a good idea, because sharp
stones or slippery footing could spell trouble.
- Streams can be buggy places, so long sleeves or repellant and a hat are recommended.
- A basic set of equipment for exploring streams might include a couple of light-colored, shallow plastic containers (like the kind cottage cheese or margarine come in), a white plastic spoon, small paintbrush,
magnifying glass, and small aquarium dip net.
Many stream creatures can be found simply by turning over stones and examining their undersides. Using the
paintbrush, gently brush the creatures into a container filled with stream water. Another method is to hold your dip net downstream of a stone and turn it over, allowing hiding creatures like crayfish or sculpin to get carried into your net by the current. Then invert
the net into the container to examine your "catch." Smaller insects such as sideswimmers can be scooped out of the collecting container with the plastic spoon to be examined with your magnifying glass.
The closer you look, the more absorbed you and your
child will become. But don't let that keep you from listening for the rattle of a belted kingfisher, and watching the graceful form of a great blue heron lifting from a quiet pool. During childhood, experiences like this can create a lifelong awareness and appreciation of the natural world. While some forms of stream life serve as important water quality indicators, to a small child they may represent little more than fascinating objects to observe. But their fascination soon leads to learning and greater appreciation. When you delve into the secret life of a stream together, who knows what you might find under that next rock?
|
All forms of aquatic life have an important role to play in the
ecology of a stream, so remember to return stream creatures
to their habitat after you have finished observing them.
–Robin Jameson
|
|
This article by Rich Parisio appeared originally in New York State Conservationist, August 2000.
|
