Lake Co,, program aims to leave no child indoors

Do you think your kids spend too much time in front of the TV or computer?

Does their only exposure to nature come in science class?

Lake County Forest Preserve District environmental educator Jan Ward has a simple solution for both problems: Take them outside.

"Everybody should play in nature and explore," said Ward, who on Wednesday led a small group of parents, teachers and children on a play-filled tour of the Nippersink Forest Preserve near Round Lake as part of the regional Leave No Child Inside initiative. "If they don't get that sense of awe, why are they going to want to take care of it in the future?"

As the kids gathered insects for close-up inspection nearby, Ward spoke to the adults about the importance of using nearly all of our senses while enjoying nature.

Touch, sight, hearing and smell all are key to the natural experience, she told the grown-ups as they listened to wild birds, felt acorn caps and smelled fresh plants.

Parents can using the senses to help children relate to nature. For example, smell some wild onions and ask your children if the scent is familiar.

"Your sense of smell has a really strong connection," she said.

However, because some wild plants are dangerous to eat, using the sense of taste while visiting a forest preserve isn't a good idea, Ward said.

Ward also suggested taking free paint sample cards from a local hardware store and then trying to match them to colors found in the wild.

"It keeps kids focused and busy," she said.

Five-year-old Tyler Thomas of Mundelein participated in the outing with her twin brother, Ricky, and their mom, Lisa.

Tyler was particularly proud of the nature garden she made in a plastic bowl using soil, pebbles, leaves, twigs, acorn caps and a toy salamander.

"I like nature," she said. "And I like deers and stuff, and animals, too."

Sheila Thomsen, a teacher at the Lake Bluff Park District's Bright Beginnings preschool, attended the program with co-worker Megan Harris to get ideas for their classrooms.

"This is so important for children, to develop their senses and their sense of nature," Thomsen said.

If you do visit a forest preserve for a nature excursion this summer, Ward has one request: Try to leave everything how you found it. That means don't pick live plants - they're legally protected - and if you pick up any insects or water creatures, no matter how large or small, try to return them safely to their homes.

"It's really important," Ward said. "It protects the food web."

Four more No Child Left Inside programs will be held at Lake County forest preserves this year. For a schedule or more information, call Ward at (847) 968-3337 or visit lcfpd.org.

For more information about the regional No Child Left Inside program, visit kidsoutside.info.