Cultivating a strong relationship with the world around us is a great thing for kids and adults alike. We’re all interconnected, and living in harmony is best for both humans and animals. Teaching young children to respect nature can help them enjoy the outdoors, but also keep themselves safe.
But in order to teach them some outdoor skills, you also need to be comfortable with taking them out on a family adventure in the first place. So how can you explore safely with kids? In this post, we share four top tips for a fun day out.
Teach them how to interact with nature
It can be tempting for young children to collect the things they see as they go along – pretty shells in particular can seem ripe for collection when diving, and they may want to reach out and touch coral. On land, they may also run wild, without thinking about the impact their little steps are having on the environment around them. Plus, while their excitement upon seeing a cute animal is lovely, little shrieks or splashes of joy can frighten wildlife off or give the wrong impression.
Talk to your children about the importance of leaving no trace of your visit – only collecting items that have already fallen to the ground or are washed up on the beach; sticking to paths and planned dive routes, and keeping quiet and calm around any animals you may encounter.
Pack the right equipment
At first glance, packing the right equipment might encourage you to pack everything you might possibly need: but in fact, the opposite is true. Packing the right equipment is all about considering the risks of your trip, and preparing accordingly.
Of course, there’s a fine line between this and being underprepared, but something like a lightweight rain jacket won’t make much of a difference if the forecast is uncertain, whereas carrying a huge first aid kit for an organized dive trip is probably too much. You can always check with the operator – they should carry a first aid kit onboard, so you shouldn’t need to bring one.
Don’t overestimate their ability
Young kids in particular can easily get overtired and overexcited. When you’re planning your day out, plan it to their ability – it should be fun, rather than a demanding trip that will leave everyone tired and grumpy at the end of day. When we’re tired, we make mistakes, and this can lead to unnecessary risks. You can always build up their confidence and stamina over time.
Have an emergency plan
Hopefully, you’ll never run into an emergency situation, but it always pays to be prepared. The outdoors is a wild space, and you can’t control everything, so making sure everyone knows what to do if things don’t go to plan can help keep you all safe.
There’s no need to make this scary for kids; rather you should just make it seem as normal as possible. Talk to them about signals to use underwater if they’re not comfortable, and the importance of sticking with the group. You may also want to attach a waterproof band with your name and contact information on it to their wrist.
Enjoy and explore
Whether you’re taking a short trip for the afternoon, a day trip or even an outdoor adventure on holiday, you and your family’s safety is important. Don’t take risks in nature, and be prepared – this way, you can all re
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