Spot on Spring
Who hasn’t wiled away the time on a long walk by playing ‘I spy’ or blurred motor miles with a number plate or car spotting game? There’s nothing remarkable about these age- defying games, or is there?
With over 80% of environmental stimulation visual, it is hardly surprising that much of what we do is infl uenced by sight. And yet with such a strong visual focus I wonder how many other sensations we might be missing on a daily basis?
March is a time of changes, with new shoots springing up, Spring blossom bouncing in the breeze, the cheery sound of bird song and the abundant weather, be it wind, rain or snow! In fact it’s the perfect time for going on an ‘I notice’ walk. Children are often so much better than us adults at spotting the detail found all around us, and so they will defi nitely have the upper hand in this ‘I spy’ game with a diff erence.
Take a walk in a wood, on the beach or even down your road and see what sounds, sights, smells and textures surprise and delight you. It may be the loud gurgling sound of running water; the plethora of diff erent bird sounds being chorused; the scent of newly mown grass or salty sea air; or soft velvety feel of fl oating petals.
Older children can keep a sensory tally or take a bag for collecting treasures, be it a vibrantly coloured springy piece of moss or a silky feather or fragrant leaf. If you take the time to actually listen to the sound of silence it can yield surprising results. As a backpacker in the Australian rainforest I was struck by how deafeningly loud silence can be, especially from the smallest insects!
If your children like mine are keen to turn everything into a challenge, they’ll relish the chance to fi nd the most sounds or smells or the most unusual ones. You can choose to up the ante by seeing who can come up with the rarest answer, or score senses if wished.
We all know the importance of appropriate clothing when heading outdoors, and I’m talking as much about us adults as the children, so wrap up well and head out with your ears, noses, hands, taste buds and eyes primed to discover the environment anew.
You’ll be amazed at what you might discover, like the baa-ing sheep we heard in a town garden!
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Feature by Sue Gascoyne of Play-Z Ltd 79
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