It never ceases to amaze me—the impact that the environment can make on the way children engage with the world.

Early one morning, I put together some of our new holiday gifts with our favorite bird watching tools, to create a bird watching station. With freshly filled bird feeders outside and a cozy space inside, the girls woke-up and enjoyed a morning filled with observing and identifying our backyard feathered friends.

My favorite part was that I did not have to say anything to initiate the experience. The space was the provocation and was what inspired the girls to engage in the activity. They entered into it on their own terms and utilized the materials according to their own needs.

It was wonderful to witness their self-directed enthusiasm unfold...