Picking up loose rocks on hikes with my toddler opened my eyes

I used to just let her toss them, but now I show her how to look for stripes or sparkles. We found a piece with tiny mica flakes yesterday, and she wouldn't put it down.

2 comments

2 Comments

paige8614h ago

My kid is three and just wants to throw things in the creek. Turning every rock into a science lesson feels like missing the point. Sometimes simple fun is better than trying to teach them something. That constant instruction can turn their free play into a chore. I worry we forget to let them just be little kids.

lilykelly14h ago

Seriously! The creek is for throwing stuff, not a tiny classroom. Next we'll be testing the pH of puddle water and writing reports on worm migration. Let the kid enjoy the splash without the pressure to learn from it.