“It’s a snake!” shouted Leo with excitement as he held the wriggling, mud-covered creature in his hands.
“No, it’s a worm,” I replied, barely glancing up from my computer screen.
“No, it’s a worm snake!” he exclaimed joyfully. Indeed, worm snakes are real, and it turns out they inhabit my backyard, thanks to my 7-year-old who intentionally unearthed one for closer examination.
This is quite the norm in our household. Whenever my children step outside, they embark on mini expeditions to capture small critters, particularly reptiles. No Carolina anole stands a chance in our yard! The kids have even named their favorites based on their territories: the large, dark one perched on the trash can and its small, feisty rival. We also have a striped skink hiding beneath the porch and a sizeable brown skink that emerged from my dreams to take up residence near some lumber. While some might consider this behavior wild, I actively support their explorations by providing nets and containers for their discoveries.
Children have an innate need for nature, and part of that involves interacting with the intriguing, the slow-moving, and yes, even the creepy-crawlies.
As researchers Peter Kahn Jr. and Stephen Kellert highlight in their book Children and Nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary Investigations, the natural environment was the primary context for children before modern technology took over. They demonstrate how interacting with animals fosters a connection to the broader, non-sentient aspects of nature. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, emphasizes that children’s “physical contact with nature” is diminishing. Thus, any efforts to strengthen that bond are incredibly valuable.
Our family’s wildlife encounters go beyond mere capture. Each evening, my children eagerly head out for toad hunts. My partner leads them into our yard, where they search for toads and tree frogs, carefully handling and identifying them. This hands-on approach has taught us fascinating facts, like how some gray tree frogs are genetically identical yet distinct due to differing chromosome counts. On a good day, my kids can distinguish between Southern toads and Fowler’s toads. They are aware of what these amphibians consume and know that during dry spells, they retreat into burrows, making them harder to find.
These experiences are not just about catching animals; they are about learning. Summer nights often see them capturing several toads, which they might place in a plastic tank filled with water for observation, sketching, and documenting their behavior before releasing them back into the wild.
We even take the somewhat controversial step of letting them collect tadpoles. Armed with specialized nets, we know the best local spots for bullfrog spawn. I often accompany them to parks, where I relax under a tree with the dog while they gleefully hop around, splashing in puddles and catching tadpoles. They excitedly compare their finds: “Mine has legs!” “Look how long mine’s tail is!” If the tadpole hunting is slow, they might catch minnows or chase after water striders.
As for salamanders, they are typically elusive, but we once serendipitously found one hiding in the rich soil of our yard. These adventures not only cultivate respect for healthy ecosystems but also immerse my children in nature, giving them shared goals. They collaborate, sharing nets and tips, and come home muddy and tired. It’s everything a parent could wish for.
Their fascination with creepy-crawlies is genuine. While cockroaches (or as we call them, palmetto bugs) may creep them out, they have a fondness for spiders, especially the larger varieties. During evening walks by the river, they eagerly point out giant millipedes. I like to think that our encouragement in catching toads and worms (not just worm snakes, but real worms!) has helped foster a love for nature that extends to all living creatures, even those typically overlooked.
I can already hear the outcry from animal rights advocates. They may argue that creatures have the right to exist without interference, suggesting we observe from a distance. But that experience is simply not the same. Feeling the slippery skin of a tadpole, the bumpy texture of a toad, the quick darting of a minnow, or the gentle nibble of an anole creates a connection that mere observation cannot. None of these creatures are harmed or kept as pets; my 3-year-old knows how to handle a lizard gently enough to avoid any accidents. This interaction is an essential life skill.
I’ll reiterate: children need nature, and they need it in a way that resonates with their understanding. They don’t appreciate Thoreau’s pond or wander awestruck through towering pines. Instead, they see those rocks as a playground, trees as climbing opportunities, and the toads, frogs, worm snakes, salamanders, and tadpoles as treasures waiting to be discovered.
So here’s to outdoor adventures, from toad hunts to digging for worms. Let children explore and get dirty!
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Summary:
Encouraging children to engage with nature, including the often-overlooked creatures like toads and worms, is essential for their development. Through hands-on experiences, they learn about ecosystems and foster a genuine love for the environment. This connection not only enhances their understanding of nature but also cultivates important life skills.