Introducing that special child to nature is precious. As a Grampa of an ever increasing brood of grandkids, I understand this fact. One way I hope to encourage of love of birds is by authoring children’s books. What has worked for you? Let me know either by commenting directly via this page, or sending me an email (RichardHoeg@GMail.Com).
Children’s Books
I have authored three children’s picture books on my own, and collaborated with Susan Larson Kidd on three beginning reader books. Susan is an early childhood development college professor. Here are cover screenshots: (PDF full copy downloads of the two books authored by me are free)
Books Authored and Photographed by me, Rich Hoeg
Books Authored by Susan Larson Kidd, and Photographed by me, Rich Hoeg
Birding With Children
Ideas and Resources …
In the book, But That is not Me!, my dedication reads “No matter your age, may you always hear the joy of bird song!” As adults, how do we insure children hear the “joy of bird song”? We know children have short attention spans; thus, taking them on extended birding expeditions is not a good idea. Here are examples which have worked well for me with my increasing brood of grandkids.
Bird Feeders Are A Fantastic Starting Point: Children as young as two years old love to sit next to windows and watch brightly colored birds. One of my granddaughters would often sit on our window seat even before she could walk very well and watch goldfinches, chickadees, and of course … hairy woodpeckers. An active bird feeder allows a child a quick view into the world of nature.
Plan a Child Friendly Excursion: When you bird with a young child, remember they have a limited attention span and endurance. Over the past six months I took two different grandchildren on birding excursions. In both cases I had prior knowledge through personal experience with both locations. Scout your location first without your younger friend!
My first trip with Ben utilized a wildlife drive. This route allowed us to take a remote road where I could use the car as a roaming blind allowing us to get close to birds. Occasionally I would park the car to let both of us have time to get outside and run around! Seeing birds while outside the car was not important. Having fun with Grampa was the desired action on these short hikes. Finally, a wildlife drive with a 10 mph speed limit meant Ben could sit up front in the passenger seat. For him, that was a BIG treat and a new experience.
Children Love Color, Not Rare Birds: Children could care less about finding the rare Kookamunga bird … even if it has never been seen within 2,000 miles of your area! Kids like color and birds which they can see up close. Consider a trip to a “duck pond” or other bird venue where the birds have grown accustomed to humans. Make certain to bring bread to feed the birds. Many local parks have well stocked bird feeders which allows one to combine a trip to a playground with some birding. Remember that birds are much more active early in the morning, and your young child will also be more rested. Thus, think early morning for your excursions!
Great Birding Expeditions End With Doughnuts: Have fun! This axiom should be obvious. The birding part of your experience is important, but to the child seeing our feathered friends is only a small part, a very small part of the experience. When Mya got home she told her parents about the Merlin we saw … and the doughnuts we ate!
Learn More about the Birds Featured in the Book: Listen to bird songs. Watch videos. Learn facts and ranges. Follow this link.
Birding Curriculum and Resources for Children from Cornell University
- Curriculum & Educator’s Guide
- Bird Sleuth Kits
- Bird Sleuth Investigator (pdf guides)
- Kid’s Book Activities
Play Bird Bingo: For Christmas last year I was given “Birding Bingo”. This game has become a favorite, and costs $15 via Amazon. My grandkids don’t care much about winning, but warning … they like to fill the entire board! There are different versions of this game, but I like the one by Lucy Hammett Games … good “local” birds. Children who are not able to read also love this game. Our latest method of playing of playing Bird Bingo requires Grampa (i.e. me) to show one of my photos of that kind of bird upon that bingo card being chosen.
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We welcome your ideas! What has worked for you? Let us know either by commenting directly via this page, or sending me an email. (RichardHoeg@GMail.Com)
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This website is really wonderful! Many of us have had the benefit of learning about birds from our elders and we have such a fantastic variety of birds in our region here in MN! Rich is so generous in offering his website so that we can see so many of these birds. He is also a terrific book creating partner! Thank you Rich. And Harry the Hairy thanks you too.
Susan is the author of our new book. It’s been a fantastic collaboration!
Great ideas! My kids would love the donuts. My 9-year-old son fell in love with birds of prey by visiting educational centers like the Audubon Center of the Northwoods in Sandstone and Wolf Ridge in Finland. Both centers have rehabilitated birds such as hawks, owls, and eagles that you can see up-close. Plus the naturalists on-site provide interesting facts and answer all questions. Having these experiences better connects him to the birds we see in the wild.
My grandfather grew sunflowers in his garden. At the end of the season, we would dry the seeds and put them out on the snow for the chickadees. My grandfather had an almost magical relationship with those little birds. When he went outside to fill the feeder, the birds would flutter all around him and land on his hat and his sleeves. For us kids, it was the greatest thrill, after standing motionless with an outstretched hand for what seemed like hours (I’m sure it was a fidgety minute or two), if a chickadee would land briefly and take a seed from our mitten.