“It’s a snake!” exclaimed Leo with excitement, holding the wriggling, dirt-covered creature in both hands.
“No, that’s just a worm,” I replied, barely glancing up from my laptop.
“It’s a worm snake!” he giggled, as if the fantasy version of the creature was better than the reality. In his world, worm snakes were real, and he had unearthed one right in our backyard to examine.
This behavior is hardly surprising. Whenever my children venture outdoors, they are on a mission to capture small creatures, most of which are of the reptilian variety. No green anole is safe in our yard! They’ve spent so much time pursuing these animals that we’ve given them names based on their territories: the hefty black one by the compost bin and the feisty little challenger nearby. There’s even the striped skink living under the porch and the monstrous brown skink that seems to have crawled out of a nightmare. Some may find this obsession troubling, but I actively foster their curiosity by providing them with nets and containers to gently interact with the wildlife.
Children need nature, and part of that connection involves engaging with the “creepy-crawlies” — the slow-moving, living elements of the environment. In their book, Children and Nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary Investigations, Peter Kahn Jr. and Stephen Kellert assert that the natural world was the most significant environment for children before technology took over. Their research demonstrates that interacting with animals helps children form a deeper appreciation for the non-sentient aspects of nature. Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, notes that kids’ physical interaction with nature is diminishing. Therefore, anything we can do to strengthen that bond is crucial.
But we don’t just allow our kids to catch animals; we also discuss them. Each evening, they eagerly join their father on a quest for toads. They carefully track and capture these amphibians, learning to identify different species. For instance, we discovered that some gray tree frogs are genetically identical but differ due to their chromosome counts. They can distinguish between Southern toads and Fowler’s toads, and they understand the behaviors of these creatures, like where they hide when it’s dry.
Their engagement goes beyond simple catching. On warm summer nights, they might catch several toads, observing them in a plastic tank filled with water to study their behaviors before releasing them back into the wild. We also take the somewhat debated step of allowing them to hunt for tadpoles. With specialized nets, we explore local parks where we know the best spots for bullfrog spawn. As I relax under a tree with our dog, they leap around, getting muddy and wet while comparing their findings: “Look, mine has legs!” “Check out the length of mine’s tail!” If the tadpole hunt is unsuccessful, they switch to catching minnows or water striders.
The elusive salamander is harder to find, usually only caught during hikes in the mountains, although we once stumbled upon one in our yard’s mulch. These experiences instill a respect for healthy ecosystems in my children. They work together, share nets, and come home muddy and tired — exactly how childhood adventures should be.
Surprisingly, they have developed a fondness for creepy-crawlies. While palmetto bugs may disgust them, they have an affection for spiders, especially the larger varieties. They eagerly spot giant millipedes during our evening walks. I believe that encouraging their fascination with toads and worms (even the mythical worm snakes) has broadened their appreciation for nature, including the less adored creatures.
PETA might not approve of our approach, arguing that all creatures deserve to live undisturbed and that we should observe from afar. However, I believe there’s immense value in experiencing nature firsthand. To truly connect with the natural world, children need to feel the slippery surface of a tadpole, the bumpy skin of a toad, and the quick dart of a minnow. None of the animals we encounter are harmed or kept as pets; my young child can handle a lizard without causing it distress. This interaction cultivates essential life skills.
Kids need nature, and they need it in a way that resonates with them. They may not grasp the philosophical significance of Thoreau’s pond or appreciate the majesty of towering pine trees, but they do see those trees as climbing opportunities and the rocks as playgrounds, while the critters they encounter — from toads to salamanders — become sources of admiration.
So here’s to the adventures, whether it’s toad hunts or digging for worms. Let kids get dirty and explore the wonders of the outdoors!
(Note: My son can identify a worm snake, which closely resembles a worm. Children should never attempt to approach or touch snakes without the guidance of an adult trained in herpetology.)
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Summary
In this article, we explore the importance of nature for children, emphasizing the benefits of hands-on experiences with various creatures, including the often-overlooked creepy-crawlies. Engaging with nature fosters a deeper connection and appreciation, while also aiding in the development of critical life skills.