My background is in outdoor education for youth and families. Our nervous system is deeply nourished by the plants, the animals, and the natural world. Becoming more in tune with our environment is a way to feel grounded and therefore support our family as a caregiver.
Coriander harvest from dried cilantro plant with First 5
Feel it.
Being able to play is so important. Learning about different textures and picking things builds fine motor skills. Plus, you get aromatherapy out of it! I encourage my families to “know your hazards”, set boundaries, and start to discuss the benefits and risks of all kinds of plants (there are some we don’t touch at all let alone eat), where food comes from, and bond with food. My toddler now asks, “mama, can I eat this? can I pick this?” It starts from an early age talking with them, even when you don’t think they can understand.
One night I remember my toddler did not want to take a bath. We went outside and picked hummingbird sage in the dark. She came back with a bouquet ready to toss into the bath water and created a fragrant lovely sanctuary for both of us to enjoy.
Trying tomatoes, tasting and playing with a spoon
Taste it.
If you are willing to try it, and maybe even love it, then your baby will most likely give it a go too! I hear so much of “if you eat your greens, then you can have that (name any sugar thing)”. What if you got excited about the green thing?! What if dessert was a special treat with fruit cobbler and oats (or a banana split with fresh fruit and icecream)?
I encourage “the mess” as it gives children a chance to explore and engage all their senses. If they are starting solids and still drinking milk, it’s okay if they don’t get all of it in their mouth anyhow!
Neophobia is a fear of trying anything new. Food aversions can become more than just “picky eating” and it’s important for so many other facets of life to be curious and interested in trying new things. For those curious eaters that seem to gulp everything down, it’s especially important to offer “every color of the rainbow” and keep offering new fresh, whole foods to them.
Baby hanging out with their gardening parent
Grow it.
It all begins as a seed. Your little one needs time to listen and feel the outdoors. Find solace in nature and let your baby experience the therapeutic benefits as well. Gardening can be especially supportive, in all the ways, in the postpartum cycle of parenthood. Can you hear the birds? Feel the wind? Sing a song to them while you tend your garden.
Don’t have a plot for a garden? Get creative and experiment with sprouts near your window area, potted herbs outside, little worm bin for some scraps to compost, and go out and picnic together with fresh foods you picked out together at the market.
They will be encouraged as they grow older that not only is “getting dirty” okay, but building healthy soil is essential to thrive!