Good Natured Roots

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. 🌤️🌳

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!

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?