About Jonathan Berkowitz’s affection for the great outdoors informs his work as a licensed clinical social worker. According to Jonathan Berkowitz, time spent outside experiencing nature can be a fulfilling and relaxing activity for the whole family. Jonathan Berkowitz says that parents can use nature walks to relax their own minds while entertaining and educating their children.
Jonathan Berkowitz suggests that parents should select a theme or goal beforehand to occupy the children. Jonathan Berkowitz says that nature walks can stimulate a child’s imagination and enhance his or her learning. At the same time, says Jonathan Berkowitz, family nature walks give parents the opportunity to reflect on their lives and relax in the peace and quiet of the natural world.
Jonathan Berkowitz advises parents to give family nature walks a theme to direct the children’s energy. One such project, says Jonathan Berkowitz, is a plant field guide. Jonathan Berkowitz recommends bringing along a notebook and crayons or colored pencils. Jonathan Berkowitz tells parents to have their children draw any interesting plants they come across. In addition to drawings, says Jonathan Berkowitz, encourage children to collect samples of plants they like. Upon returning home, says Jonathan Berkowitz, parents can help the kids preserve the plant specimens by pressing them between wax paper sheets with an iron on low heat. This is an old craft project, says Jonathan Berkowitz, which can instill fond memories for a lifetime.
Another project involves entomology, says Jonathan Berkowitz, or the study of insects. While many adults do not like insects, acknowledges Jonathan Berkowitz, many children do enjoy the pursuit. For an etymology project, suggests Jonathan Berkowitz, bring along a magnifying glass and some small containers for examining and collecting specimens. If you find your kids are not inclined to catch bugs, adds Jonathan Berkowitz, guide them to make drawings of the insects in their nature walk notebooks. Later, says Jonathan Berkowitz, you can assist them in researching the names of the plants and bugs that they encountered during their outing.
Jonathan Berkowitz says parents may also discover that their children are interested in rocks and minerals. Collecting samples of rocks and minerals, points out Jonathan Berkowitz, can be a lot of fun. Rock collecting is also a good physical pursuit, adds Jonathan Berkowitz, encouraging the kids to search and dig beyond what they can readily see. However, do not allow children to chip at rocks with tools, cautions Jonathan Berkowitz, unless they use protective eye wear to guard against chips.
According to Jonathan Berkowitz, bird watching is another nature walk project that families can enjoy together. Bring along a digital camera, recommends Jonathan Berkowitz, to photograph the birds. Also try spending some time listening to the birds’ songs, suggests Jonathan Berkowitz, and try to point out differences among them. This will encourage kids to hone their powers of observation, concludes Jonathan Berkowitz.
About Jonathan Berkowitz
Jonathan Berkowitz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Queens College in Flushing, New York in 1994. Following studies at the Long Island University, Jonathan Berkowitz became a certified school social worker and school Psychologist in 1997. Jonathan Berkowitz earned a Masters of Clinical Social Work from New York University in 1999, and later was recognized as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). In 2000, Jonathan Berkowitz was issued a Post Masters certificate in Early Childhood and Adolescence Psychotherapy. Jonathan Berkowitz obtained Post Masters certification in Gestalt Therapy from the Gestalt Association of Psychotherapy in New York City in 2002.
It was while Jonathan Berkowitz was studying at Queens College that he served in the Brooklyn Public Schools as a special Education Instructor from 1993-1994. Jonathan Berkowitz also served as a school Psychologist and Social Worker in Brooklyn with the Board of Education. Additionally, Jonathan Berkowitz did an internship in social work at Maimonides Psychiatric Outpatient in Brooklyn.
During 1999 and 2000 Jonathan Berkowitz worked as an outpatient social worker, MSW, CSW at New Hope Guild in Brooklyn, New York. Jonathan Berkowitz served as Administrative Assistant, MSW, and LMSW at Fordham Tremont Center in Bronx, New York during 2003-2004. Additionally, Jonathan Berkowitz offered his services as Clinical Social Worker, MSW, and CSW to the Jewish Board of Family & Children Services in Brooklyn, New York from 2002 through 2006.
During 2004–2005, Jonathan Berkowitz worked at the Bikur Cholim Department of Clinical Services in Rockland, New York as Administrative Director, MSW, and LMSW. Jonathan Berkowitz currently maintains a private practice in Teaneck, New Jersey focusing on children, adolescents, couples, and families.
To contact Jonathan Berkowitz, call 646-338-5424 or email berkj1517@yahoo.com. For more information about his services visit www.familiesheal.com.