Depending on her age and your own ability, you can make a game out of it by teaching her how to walk stealthy using the toe-first method.
You can actually "feel" your way through the undergrowth by placing your toes first - not tippy toes, but stealthy toes lol. I don't know what to call it. The toes are very sensitive and can detect twigs and pebbles even through heavy boots. This is the method I use and it's very effective.
The foot touches lightly on the toes and then kind of rolls down easily until the heel is down. If you detect something, pull your leading foot back and re-place it. Do not shift it forward as this will alter your balance and cause you to come down hard on your leading toes. If there is a twig you will be unable to avoid it. Always shift your foot backwards if possible as your weight will be focused on your planted foot.
Think of the way a Ninja moves. Similar to that. This method also allows you to freeze almost instantly as your balance is established on your toes rather than rolly-polly heels. As you stride forward, your rear heel should come up leaving you on the toes of both feet at mid-stride.
A simple example, walk normally heel-to-toe and try to freeze mid-stride. You will notice that your weight will shift and your ankles will rotate outwards to stabilize yourself. Then, try the same freeze mid-stride using the method I described above. You should notice a significant difference. The toe method will have almost no extraneous movement.
When I taught my boys how to do this I started by having them sneak up on a cookie jar while I watched. If they did it right they would get a cookie as the reward. After they had mastered the basic technique I had them sneak up on the dog and the cat and eventually myself.
If she is just too young to grasp the concept, you can also try putting her on your shoulders so she can act as a 'scout' and then you can be the quiet tracker. She can observe and learn from you that way.
This might be too much for a very young child, but planting the seed now will benefit her later. Good luck with it, and have fun. :tinysmile_grin_t:
