Interacting with wildlife offers a multitude of benefits for young children, fostering their physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Here are some reasons why it's important to encourage little ones to feed and watch the birds:
Curiosity and Wonder
Observing animals in their natural habitat sparks curiosity and wonder in children. It encourages them to ask questions, explore the world around them, and develop a sense of awe for the diversity of life.
Environmental Awareness
Interacting with wildlife helps children understand their role as caretakers of the planet. It cultivates a sense of responsibility and encourages them to become environmentally conscious individuals who value and protect nature.
Empathy and Compassion
Caring for animals, even through simple acts like feeding birds or observing squirrels, instills empathy and compassion in children. They learn to recognise the needs of living creatures and develop a deeper understanding of their emotions and behaviours.
Sensory Development
Wildlife interactions engage children's senses, stimulating their sensory development. The vibrant colours of birds, the sounds of chirping, and the textures of feathers or fur provide rich sensory experiences.
Cognitive Skills
Identifying different bird species, observing their behaviours, and understanding their habitats enhance children's cognitive abilities. They learn to categorise, compare, and make connections, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Emotional Well-being
Connecting with nature and wildlife has a positive impact on children's emotional well-being. It reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and boosts mood. Interacting with wildlife can be a source of joy, excitement, and a way to find solace in the natural world.
Encouraging children to interact with wildlife is a gateway to lifelong appreciation for nature. It nurtures their holistic development, instills a sense of wonder, and equips them with the knowledge and empathy needed to become responsible stewards of our planet.
Our Little Birder Set was designed to help children feel connected to the world outside their window. Complete with a bird feeder, supply of food and activity cards specially designed for children, the Little Birder Set teaches children empathy and responsibility from a young age. Having their very own bird feeder and food to give the birds makes children feel more responsible and obliged to look after the wonderful birds that are relying on the food they put out.
The bird feeder that is included in the Little Birder Set is our Eco Beacon Bird Feeder, an easy-to-use, lightweight feeder that is perfect for little hands. Encouraging children to go outside daily and put food in the feeder helps them gain a sense of responsibility, along with the ability to notice seasonal changes that occur throughout the year.
The food that comes with our Little Birder Set is a blend of our seasonal bird food, adjusted according to the seasons to ensure birds always get the nutrients they need. The packaging is fully compostable to encourage children to recycle and learn about environmentally friendly practices.
The activity cards in the Little Birder Set make bird feeding and bird spotting even more fun and entertaining for children who are just beginning to dive into the wonderful world of wildlife. Our activity cards have helpful information about bird feeding, bird spotting and creating a home for birds, so your novice little bird watchers will soon be experts!
If your children are book lovers, there’s always room on the shelf for a beautiful child’s bird book, filled with eye-catching pictures of garden birds, along with information to help your children learn about the birds they might spot from the window. ‘My First Book of Birds’ by Zoe Ingram is a capturing book filled with lovely illustrations of garden birds, sure to inspire any young reader and encourage a love of wildlife and the great outdoors. The handy ‘did you know’ sections teach little ones useful facts about birds and nature that they will love to share with their friends.
According to a report by the Wildlife Trust, "children experience profound and diverse benefits through regular contact with nature. Contact with the wild improves children’s wellbeing, motivation and confidence." We know that our own sense of well-being can be improved by time spent outdoors in nature or just watching the birds from the window, and the same is absolutely true for children. And to quote Sir David Attenborough; "No one will protect what they don't care about, and no one will care about what they have never experienced." An understanding of the natural world and the wildlife just outside our windows can increase a child's desire to protect and conserve what they grow to love.
Inspire your children to get more hands-on with nature by gifting them the beautiful Little Birder Set for their birthday, Christmas or another special occasion. You can also add books, binoculars or a lovely illustrated greetings card to inspire them even further!