When the Little Explorer was younger, we discovered the PBS KIDS show, Dinosaur Train. Shortly thereafter, I was fortunate enough to speak with the show’s popular paleontologist, Dr. Scott, about his thoughts on connecting kids and nature. (You can read the two-part interview here and here.)
Since then, I’ve sort of had a professional crush on Dr. Scott.
Sure, his accolades are impressive. He’s a dinosaur paleontologist and science communicator. He serves as vice president of research and collections at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (which we have visited not once, but twice!), while also playing “Dr. Scott the Paleontologist” on Dinosaur Train. Plus, he’s Nature Rocks’ first Program Ambassador.
But it’s not just that he’s a nature bigwig. Dr. Scott is also a down-to-earth dad who understands the challenges facing today’s parents. He just gets it.
Naturally I was thrilled when I learned he was writing a book just for us parents, one devoted to helping us connect our kids to the natural world. The result is on bookshelves now: How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature. Take a peek at what it’s all about:
Is this book for you?
I thought I knew a lot about how to raise nature-loving kids. Turns out, there’s always something new to learn. How to Raise a Wild Child has had a huge impact on how I think about our time outside. The book will show you that:
- You are a nature mentor! You are raising the next generation of kids who are deeply connected with nature. And your job is super, super important!
- You don’t have to have all the answers! In fact, the right questions are far more important.
- It’s okay if the kids touch, grab, tug and occasionally harm or destroy something when they’re exploring outside. “Nature connection is a contact sport. And nature can take it.”
- Urban nature counts! Tiny discoveries right at home matter just as much (if not more) than those big ones in our wildest places. After all, “the best place to fall in love with nature is wherever you happen to be.”
- How our kids spend time in nature will change as they get older. And that’s okay.
- You shouldn’t beat yourself up for being busy! If you need to, put nature time on the schedule. It’s okay to make it one of your family’s priorities, much in the same way you would baseball practice or piano lessons.
Sometimes we all need a little reassurance that as parents, even the small things count when it comes to instilling a love of nature in our kids. That my friends, is exactly what How to Raise a Wild Child did for me.
But the book is really just the beginning. Dr. Scott is serious about his efforts to help adults help kids fall in love with nature.
Note: I received a free copy of How to Raise a Wild Child in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts with you here. Read my disclosure policy for more information.
This looks great!
We have 3 children (1, 3, 5 years old). We LOVE being in nature! During the day, we spend more time outside than we do inside. We love to camp, hike, surf, ride our bikes and scooters, go to the beach, mountains, and desert, and explore new parks and playgrounds. We eat our meals and even brush our teeth outside! Nature rocks!
Having my kids outside exploring nature is important to me, but I’ve realized lately how much I’ve neglected my own need to be outside. I love the idea of tapping into your own nature passions. For me that’s gardening and hiking. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
Would love the chance to win this book! I feel like we do get outside in nature a lot, but we could do more.
I love the stressless approach to connecting with nature. Sometimes I think I am a professional overthinker. This book sounds like a great guide for us to engage our kiddos in this beautiful world we live in!
Debi, as you say “there’s always something new to learn” so sure, I’d love to read this book!
This book sounds like a great read. Nature & being outdoors isn’t intuitive for me so I really have to work at it with my kids.
Love the idea of being a “nature mentor” to my kids and also that helping them explore urban nature works too!
We spend MOST of our day outside. Just reading this blog post I have already learned it’s OK to let kids destroy/touch things lol. I’m always telling my son not to pull the branch or pick things lol. I would love to know other OKs with kids in nature.
Sounds like an inspiring book whose time is now!
I have a little of that same professional crush. 🙂 Looking forward to reading the book. The 30 by 3 challenge makes it seem doable. 🙂
So glad to come here for resources like this. Getting our kids out in nature is so important!
Agreed, Michael!
Fabulous person, fabulous book!