Birdwatching with Kids: How to Make Them Think Birdwatching is Cool
Today, the pressures of school and life in general can cause even children to feel stressed. Teaching and sharing with your kids the pleasure of birdwatching will give them a soothing activity to fall back on when they feel they’re nearing their breaking point. You do, however, have to convince your kids first that birdwatching is a cool activity rather than an exclusive hobby for the so-called geeks and nerds.
MAKE IT INTO A PROJECT
You can introduce birdwatching to your kids by turning it into a project. You can tell them that you wish to beautify your yard by building birdhouses. Whoever builds the best-looking house wins a prize!
TELL THEM STORIES
While they’re busy building their respective birdhouses – insist on making it into a one-day affair so you’ll have plenty of time to engage their interest – casually share with them short stories and interesting facts about birds.
Arouse Their Pity – Let them know that one of the reasons you want birdhouses built is to provide food and shelter for maimed birds and orphaned chicks. While not going overboard on the gory details, make sure that they understand what harm could befall stranded birds that are out of their natural habitat.
Glammin’ Up the Birds – Another effective way of catching your kids’ interest is by using analogies with birds and famous figures. You can liken a rare type of eagle to sports legends by emphasizing their amazing agility, speed, or ferociousness. You can compare certain birds like nightingales and peacocks to Hollywood stars.
GIVING THEM THE BASIC TOOLS FOR BIRDWATCHING
Kids always like it when they’re given responsibilities they believe are intended for adults. Thus, you can make it seem that observing the birds frequenting their birdhouses is a task that’s usually performed by adults, but you’re letting them handle it anyway because you think they’re “mature” enough.
Give them a pair of binoculars, a camera, a bird book, and a journal as well. Don’t pressure them into completing the task.
ORGANIZE A FIELD TRIP
Ask them if they wish to accompany you on a short trip to the woods which would end with a scrumptious meal at their favorite fast food joint.
For your kids’ first outdoor birdwatching trip, it’s important that you choose a site where they’re sure to see amazing birds. Teach them the need for developing patience and how birdwatching can help them relax whenever they have problems in life.
Birdwatching may be an activity that will take time for kids to get used to and learn to like. With a little perseverance, however, birdwatching may soon become another bonding activity for your family to enjoy.
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