Limitations on kids and their collections.

[Kainas]

Firstly forgive my lack of knowledge and experience here, I am really unsure of the boundaries and would love to here from more experienced people.

Taking my kids anywhere generally involves coming back with a collection of stuff. I took my 4yo to an open day at the local school (she starts next year) and she managed to come home with an armload of sticks that she collected in the school grounds. Typical pre-school behaviour.

So what limitations do you set on kids on walks. I mean I want to encourage them to pick up things, to touch and to explore - because that is an essential part of being outside. I also want to teach them about areas that they can't touch and things they can't do (and at 4yo she is very capable of understanding that in certain areas we can do things and in certain areas we can't). I know the adage " take only photos and leave only footprints" but that does not apply to everywhere does it?

When do I tell my child not to pick up sticks, or rocks, or flowers? Is it okay to collect sticks and rocks in national parks (but not flowers)? etc etc. I want my kids to understand the importance of conversation, but also when it is okay to freely explore and collect.

I know I must sound like I am asking a dumb question, but I am just really unsure. Thanks.

[Drifting]

My daughter (10) has an incredibly curious mind, which goes with intelligence. Even at 4 she understood the difference between collecting stuff in and out of national parks. Explain to her the significance of National Parks, and the concept of "what would happen if everyone took one."Also, take her places where she can collect stuff.

Also, buy her a cheap digital camera. We gave Laura our old one at 4, and she took this:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/pepperp ... cent-owner

Then at 5 we gave her one of our old digital SLRS, and this is where she ended up:

http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/124 ... or-beauty/

http://www.tasland.org.au/newblog/could ... supporter/

As an after note, she raised nearly a thousand dollars for the TLC, and now has two permanent exhibitions in town, and just bought her own lens, with her own earnings.

So buy her a camera!!!!

[Kainas]

Ha. No need to sell me on that point - we gave her one for her 4th birthday (after she was constantly using my iPhone to take photos). She is constantly snapping everything. Also I agree that she is capable of understanding the difference between a national park and the bush track to the local watering hole, I am not worried about that. I guess I am just not really sure what the rules are. I don't understand that levels of conservation that happens in Australia. I am sounding stupid I know.

We have national parks, and not-national parks? Is every bit of bushland that we go camping in going to be a national park? Is there harm in collecting some rocks and sticks and bringing them back to camp? There is a lot of value in picking things up and examining them and carrying them and observing collections (I love it, I love seeing her mind tick over etc) but obviously her personal scientific discovery (not that she knows that that is what she is doing) must come second to park conservation (I don't want to say rules, because that suggests things to be bent or broken).

PS. Those photos of your daughter are impressive, I would be proud if my children followed a similiar path.

[GPSGuided]

Ah sticks! My Mr13 still has a habit of that. On the last walk, we set a one stick rule. After we got home, I told him to take it to the school and work on it in their applied art classroom. 6 weeks later, it came back as a nicely polished, oiled and decorated walking stick.