Discovering the World

Watching my garden change from day to day, I found a renewed interest in the forms found in nature. The allium exploded with bursts like fireworks and each tiny cherry tomato offered a star at the point it grew from its stem. Later I stood in awe as I picked the dried seed heads from my scabiosa flowers. Each head was formed of small cups packed together until they formed a globe, which reminded me of drawings by M. C. Escher. Then the surprise of discovering the globe was a galaxy, for tucked into each small cup was a perfect five-pointed star.

Leaving my garden behind, I spent the first week of September rediscovering forms at the ocean. Each day the tides shared stories and treasures in the patterns of the receding waves on the beach, the shapes of seashells, fluffy sea gull feathers, and sunbeams dancing in the surf. There was the morning delight of discovering the new Celtic designs created by the periwinkles as they snailed across the sand. What a gift to be able to greet the sun each day as it lifted above the horizon with gorgeous, indescribable layers of color!

So much for each human being to discover and rediscover. What is this world like where I have landed and who am I? For the child from birth to three the whole world is at their fingertips and is theirs to discover. This discovery of the physical world begins with the first inbreath and is the foremost task of the child from birth to three. Even discovering who they are revolves around their physical bodies and what it can learn to do — finding their hands as a first toy, rolling, sitting, standing, walking, talking. What enormous tasks they have before them.

How can we as parents and caregivers support these young beings in their quest to discover the world and themselves?

• Let them explore as much as they can on their own as you stand by to offer safety and assistance as needed. They will surprise you with what they can do. And indeed, there is much to discover — heavy/light, hard/soft, smooth/rough, warm/cold, up/down, forwards/backwards, can do it/ not yet.
• In this light, it is our task to invite them in, to welcome them, to introduce them to the physical world. "Look." "Wow." "How amazing."
• Offer them opportunities to explore moving through the world and moving their bodies in new ways. Take them to hills to roll down, provide puddles to splash in. Take them on walks in orchards and forests this autumn so they can gather apples and go crunch, crunch through the dried leaves.
• Take one of those apples and slice it between the stem and bottom. Let them discover the star inside. Do it again and again. The wonder of a star inside each apple! In addition, as they discover the star, you can rediscover your wonder at the star inside.

Exploring the world of nature with young children is a wonderful way to introduce them to the physical world as well as to what their bodies can do. These explorations offer moments for wonder and gratitude so their souls are also nourished and can grow. You may find moments to pause in silence or with a quiet comment acknowledge the awe and wonder of your discoveries. You as well as your children will be nourished.