Developing Ecological Consciousness in Kids: A 7-Point Map for Eco-Sensing

As the future protectors of our planet, our children hold the key to a brighter, more regenerative future. It's crucial that we help them understand how their actions can impact the world around them and inspire them to make a difference. Research shows that spending time in nature can benefit our health and well-being. It can lower stress, boost mood, increase creativity, improve brain function, lower blood pressure, and even reduce the risk of type II diabetes. And when kids spend time in nature, they tend to have more positive attitudes toward the environment, stay active, and sleep better.

Growing up in Central Minnesota, I cherished those moments spent outside, whether building forts in the woods, sledding for hours in the winter, or soaking up the sun at the lake in the summer. In those moments, I felt most alive and most connected to the world around me.

That's why it's so important to encourage kids to get outside and appreciate the beauty of nature while teaching them about the importance of caring for our planet. By instilling this awareness and aliveness in our children, we help them live happier, healthier lives, but we also help create a better world for everyone. So, let's inspire our kids to love and protect the planet and give them the tools they need to make a difference. One of the best ways to do this is by creating a sensory experience.

As a part of my Systems Thinking course, our professor encouraged us to use Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's sensory methodology or Peter White's MAP-IN approach to have a mindful experience in nature. Here's a clip from Stephan Harding that demonstrates how adults can use a Goethean approach to experience the natural world to give you a sense of this way of being with nature:

Engaging little ones with the natural world can be achieved through Goethean and MAP-IN (Mindful-Affective-Perception-in-Nature) approaches. To help introduce your child to nature, I've adapted the seven-step sequence originally developed by Peter White for adults. My son, who is about to turn two years old, has enjoyed following this sequence and I hope it can be helpful for you too.

Working with humans (especially younger humans) requires us to have adaptability in the present moment. Rather than following the sequence in steps, think of them as destination points along the journey that we want to capture as they arise in the moment. Start with step 1 (place familiarization) and end with step 7 (finish in gratitude) and see where the moments ripen to visit the other "destinations" on the map.

1. Place familiarization: Find a quiet and safe outdoor space for your child to explore. Encourage your child to take a few moments to familiarize themselves with the space, using the Goethean approach to sense perception. Ask them what they see, hear, smell, and feel around them. In my initial pilot of this, we started by eating an orange as a way to talk about the senses and get those sensory and imaginational engines firing.

2. Meditation: Once your child has had a chance to observe their surroundings, encourage them to sit or stand still for a moment and take a few deep breaths. This can help them to focus their minds and be more present in the moment.

3. Sound mapping: Ask your child to close their eyes and listen carefully to the sounds around them. Encourage them to use their imagination to map out the different sounds they hear in their minds.

4. Mindful listening: Bring your child's attention back to their surroundings and ask them to listen mindfully to the sounds around them. Have them notice the different tones, pitches, and rhythms of the sounds.

5. Mindful vision: Ask your little one to use their sense of sight to observe their surroundings. Encourage them to notice the colours, shapes, and textures of the objects around them.

6. Mindful touch: Encourage your child to touch the leaves, flowers, and other objects in their environment. Use the Goethean approach of being one with the object to help them feel connected to the natural world.

7. Finish in Gratitude: To wrap up the activity, encourage your little one to connect with the natural world around them. This could include picking up a leaf, smelling a flower, or thanking a tree for its shade. One of my favourite methods is to create a nature mandala and thank Mother Earth for all that she has gives us.

By using a combination of the Goethean and MAP-IN approaches, you can help your child to develop their observation skills, tune into their senses, engage with the natural world, and stimulate their imagination. This can be a wonderful and mindful activity that both you and your child can create memories that also infuse an ecological consciousness into your family life.

Source: White, Peter. (2011). A Phenomenological Self-Inquiry into Ecological Consciousness. Ecopsychology. 3. 41-50. 10.1089/eco.2010.0054.