Designing your own home for Naturalistic Intelligence (Nature-clever)

5 Signs Your Child Might Be Naturalistic (Nature-Smart)

• 1. They enjoy spending time outdoors and feel more relaxed in natural settings.
• 2. They’re fascinated by animals, insects, plant life, or rocks—and often “adopt” them as friends.
• 3. They observe changes in their surroundings—cloud shapes, seasons, or animal sounds.
• 4. They enjoy collecting, sorting, or classifying natural objects like shells, leaves, or stones.
• 5. They ask thoughtful questions on the environment, animals, or the food we eat.

5 Things You Can Keep at Home to Encourage It

• 1. Plant Corner: Give them some plants to water, repot, or take care of—succulents, herbs, or flowering plants.
• 2. Observation Journal: Let them draw or write what they see outdoors each day.
• 3. Nature Collection Box: For pebbles, feathers, leaves, seeds, and more—properly labeled and treasured.
• 4. Bird Feeder or Water Bowl: To observe birds, squirrels, or butterflies from a window.
• 5. Rain Gauge or Thermometer: Let them measure weather and climate patterns.

10 Things to Introduce into Your Child’s World

Apps:

• 1. SkyView: It helps kids explore stars, constellations, and planets by simply pointing the device at the sky.
• 2. Seek by iNaturalist: It helps youngsters to discover biodiversity and identify plants, bugs, and animals.

Videos:

• 1. Wild Kratts – Explores animal behavior, habitats, and natural environments through fun adventures.
• 2. Magic Bus – Engages children through storytelling that builds awareness about nature, lifestyles, and community, helping them connect real-world challenges with environmental consciousness.

People to Follow:

• 1. Greta Thunberg - A young climate activist who has inspired millions worldwide to take environmental issues seriously and speak up for the planet.
• 2. Sunita Narain – An Indian environmentalist and director of CSE (Centre for Science and Environment), is known for her impactful work in climate policy and sustainable development in India.

Games They Can Play:

• 1. Nature Bingo – Create playing cards with things like “yellow flower” or “birdcall” to spot outdoors.
• 2. Scavenger hunts – Find objects with texture, color, smell, or sound variations in parks or gardens.

Other Fun Ideas:

• 1. Mini Compost Bin – Teaches recycling and the value of food waste.
• 2. Moon and Sky Journal – Track Levels of the Moon, Stars, or Rainfall.
• 3. Gardening time – Allow them to pick seeds, plant, and track the growth process.
• 4. Nature storytelling – Create stories from the point of view of a tree, bird, or ant.

A Gentle Reminder: Don’ts for Nature-Smart Kids

• 1. ❌Don’t say, “It’s just dust!”—for them, it might be a discovery zone.
• 2. ❌Don’t rush their nature walks. Let observation set the pace.
• 3. ❌Don’t throw away their leaf or pebble collections—they’re a part of how they relate to the world.
• 4. ❌Don’t over-schedule them indoors. They need time and space to explore the outside.
• 5. ❌Don’t make everything about science—they may love nature for its feelings, not just facts.

Conclusion

Being nature-smart is more than understanding plant names—it’s about feeling deeply connected to the Earth, respecting all living things, and noticing life’s quiet patterns. You don't need a forest in your backyard. Simply nurture their curiosity and let nature do the rest. With gentle encouragement, your child's naturalistic intelligence will thrive beautifully.