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Picture a four-year-old boy running toward you in excitement. "Mom, Mom, look what I found!"

At that point you look at the two hands held high with writhing garter snakes dripping from each tight little fist.

Now the first instinct is to say "Eeeew. Put those down. Now!" and run the other direction. Soon to be followed by the complete sanitation of the child due to touching the icky snakes.

Instead the best response is, "Oh boy! Look at those beautiful garter snakes. Let's find a bucket so we can study them for a little while."

In order to develop an appreciation of nature and animals, parents, guardians, grandparents and other significant adults in the child's life must support this love that seems to naturally come to children.

1) Show no fear. Children generally do not have fear of animals. Instead is a learned reaction. The child watches a parent be repulsed by a snake and then the child is equally abhorrent of the creature. Even if there is a natural fear or hatred of a species, it is important to try to keep that reaction tampered down to not influence the child.

2)Become in tune with nature. It is important to spend time in nature in order to cultivate a love of this environment. Explore state and national parks. Take fishing expeditions. Go for walks and examine nature during the different seasons of the year.

3)Point out nature while in the car. Often there are beautiful wildlife and species of plants that can be seen from the roadside if you use a keen eye. Go for drives in natural settings to talk about what can be seen from the road. Express your awe at its beauty and magic.

4) Visit arboretums, science museums. wildlife refuges and zoos. Often these well-orchestrated organizations have seminars, classes and hands-on activities for children to come close to nature and study it. There may be displays and animals and plants that children can touch and look at up close.

5) Have a pet. An important way to teacher children about animals is to have animals as part of the family. Select an animal that is appropriate for the family whether it is fish, a cat, a hamster or a hermit crab. No matter how big or small caring for a pet is a great way for children to understand and appreciate animals. Yes, there will be some commitment of time, money and mess by the adult, but the benefits will be important to the child.

6) Plant a garden or flower bed. Study the seeds and the plants at the different stages of maturity. Plant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

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