Good Natured Roots

We see you! 👀
We couldn't help ourselves either! 😆

Trees are pretty awesome. Outside of seeing that we have clean air to breathe (with the help of marine plants of course), trees provide habitats for a variety of wildlife, noise reduction in neighborhoods, helps conserve energy, and protects shorelines from damaging storm and hurricane winds, waves, and floods!

If you haven't already done so today, you should really hug a tree.

You can find people throughout the nation in cities just like yours who are working hard to sow the seeds of stewardship through planting, conservation, and tree education programs.

Here are just a few:

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Nothing beats having a good ol' piece of paper and a pencil to draw and write. The ideal space to record not only what's on your mind, how you’re feeling, but also memories that are brought back into the forefront of your mind, there is something incredibly special about that.

The benefits of journaling with children are actually quite unique to this age group and can be modified to the needs and abilities of each child and family.

Do you and your family nature journal? Have you wanted to?

Read the article using the link!
https://www.goodnaturedroots.com/post/5-ways-nature-journaling-can-enhance-a-child-s-learning

two children squatting down to the ground at a park with a pencil in hand making notes in a notebook.

It’s easy to lead with doom and gloom. However, providing opportunities close to home and beyond for children to play, observe, and appreciate nature all come before asking them to save it.

What are some ways that you and your family nurture your relationship with the natural world?

Pop back in this week for some tips on how to do just that with children of all ages!

Summer has come to an end but we couldn't welcome autumn before taking a moment to remember a few of our favorite stories we enjoyed during these warmer months!

🏕 “Fatima’s Outdoor Adventure” by Ambreen Tariq - This beautifully written story of an immigrant family who embarks on their first camping trip in the Midwest shares how much nature can bring people and families together.

🍋 “Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner” by Angela Dalton - What is summer without enjoying the harvests of nature's delicious gifts. This fun story reminds us that every one, regardless of age or size can make a big impact in small ways.

🕷 “Buzzing with Questions” by Janice N. Harrington .harrington.writer - Summer like any other season is all about exploring the outdoors! Janice so eloquently shares the story of zoologist Charles Henry Turner, who loved observing insects as a child and later his contributions to science!

Good Natured Roots logo and colorful abstract accent designs. Images of three children’s books, “Fatima’s Outdoor Adventure”, “Ruby’s Reunion Day Dinner”, and “Buzzing with Questions”.

Exploring the beach observing shells.
Catching bubbles at the park.
Garding in your local community garden.
Laying under a tree to watch the clouds pass by.

Touch the Earth daily. 🌤️🌳

Honestly, we would rank learning alongside a child as one of the most genuine and refreshing moments we’ve had the privilege of experiencing.⁣⁣
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The curiosity, wonder, and joy they exude as they stumble across something new like an interesting bug, plant, or bird is exciting for all parties present, and could possibly be the introduction to a subject that would change their world forever. ⁣⁣
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Like founders Alicia Garcia and Vanessa Miot (with 7 children between them!) who love leading with questions on their nature walks, even if it’s a subject you are very knowledgeable about, allows the child to formulate numerous hypotheses to explore.
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Next time you’re out and about with your kiddos and they ask “what’s that?”, try asking questions like:⁣⁣
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• “What do you think?”⁣⁣
• “Where do you think it came from?” ⁣⁣
•“Who do you think lives there?”⁣⁣
• “How do you think we can help?”⁣
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As a guide, asking questions and providing the tools for research and deeper understanding through art, activities, and future outings will imprint that moment in their hearts and minds for years to come.

Good Natured Roots children's magazine blends inclusive & culturally rich stories into your next outdoor adventure. We share skill-building activities, stories, and fun educational opportunities for children to strengthen their relationship with the natural world.

We believe children's literature serves as both windows and mirrors. Providing various opportunities for growing minds to see themselves and others who may not look like them serves as a spectacular launch pad for learning.

Whether you're at home, in the classroom, out at the park - it's the perfect place to dive into the pages of Good Natured Roots.

We're so excited to share with you what we've been creating!

Leaves are a free and ever-changing piece of art to admire year-round. Leaves are varied, tactile, endless in shape, size, and texture. When used safely, leaves can be tools of learning and exploration for the youngest explorers. **Always make sure that leaves are safe for babies and children to handle.**

👶🏽 0-8 months - When out in the garden, yard, or park holding the baby while they look at, touch, and feel growing leaves. Picking a leaf to gently stroke the baby’s arms, hands, and cheek.

🧒🏻 8-18 months - When out in the garden, yard or park pick a leaf and talk about how it feels, stroke it with your hands and fingers. Wave, pat, and poke a leaf. Try floating the leaves in a bowl or tray of water, or freeze in ice cubes.

👧🏿 18-24 months - Collect a small variety of leaves to create a simple mobile threading them on twine and hanging from a stick. Float in water to see how they move differently. You can even talk about their features: may they be smooth, soft, rough, prickly, tickly, or hairy! Also, try laying under a tree to look up at the sun or clouds through the leaves to see the patterns they make!

World Honey Bee Day recognizes both the honey bee and the beekeepers who tend the hives! There are over 20,000 known bee species in the world, and 4,000 of them are native to the United States with Florida being home to more than 300 species of native bees, of which 29 are endemic (found only in Florida). Bees are insects that depend on the nectar of a variety of plants for their survival. We depend largely on honeybees for our survival! Without their pollinating abilities, many nutritious plants wouldn’t reproduce.

Habitat loss is the number one reason for bee decline, with pesticide use, invasive species, and climate change also playing a major role. With the growth of cities and farms, habitat suitable for our native bees shrinks. And with competition and habitat degradation from invasive species, the suitable habitat becomes even less.

Many cultures throughout the world such as the Egyptian, Minoan, Greek, and Roman cultures depicted some of their many goddesses as images with bee-like stripes, wings, and antennae!

Have you ever tried honey tasting? There is magic in the unique flavors of honey. They vary depending on the variety of flowers and nectar available to the bees! Clover, alfalfa, lavender, orange, and chestnut from sweet to spicy are just a few to choose from.

Did you know that Morgan Freeman Converted His 124-Acre Ranch Into A Giant Honeybee Sanctuary To Save The Bees? You can celebrate and make a big change in the lives of bees on even a smaller scale.

🐝Buy locally grown honey
🐝Become a community scientist
🐝Plant a bee garden using native trees and flowers
🐝Don’t use chemicals in gardens
🐝Create a bee bath

Geometry is a pretty interesting branch of mathematics that is dedicated to exploring the relationship between shapes and spaces.

Its origins are traced back to the 2000 BCE–1001 BCE in Egyptian and Mesopotamian cultures and have since spread throughout the world.

A popular example of geometry is represented in mandalas which were created in the service of one of the world's popular religions, Buddhism. Produced in Tibet, India, Nepal, China, Japan, Bhutan, and Indonesia these complicated geometrical forms represent or narrate the stories of various phenomena of human history.

Mathematical perfection is found all throughout nature! Flowers, shells, tree stumps, honeycomb, or even lines on a sandy beach! What patterns do you see in nature? And how do the patterns change with each season?

If you know anything about South Florida Summers, you know we experience some extreme heat, humidity, & rain showers all season. Team GNR chooses to find opportunities and benefits to all that each season provides. So how are we making the most of this rainy season?

-Mud kitchens 🍃
-Puddle play 💦
-Creature hunts 🐌

Read more! Link in bio! 😆

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Sitting back reflecting on what we love most about our local, state, and national parks during this .

We encouraged everyone to get out and enjoy their favorite park. By using and celebrating your local park, you are helping us to protect them for future generations!

How do you plan on celebrating your parks this week?