children and nature Archives

THE RAKE

May 7, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

I love being with all the kids out in the garden; so free, digging in the dirt, searching for that elusive worm. They are all so present.

There are no Common Core standards, no learning for the test… it is more of just learning to be what we are naturally. Inquisitive doers. That is what I see when I watch these children busy their whole bodies and minds.

Ah yes…. THE RAKE…. what would a blog be without my story? I guess it’s more of a metaphor than an actual story….

Tool or Weapon?

At Avalon we have a lovely garden named “Acadia.” Developed by the older kids in the S.T.A.T.E. program, it is fenced in and made up of various shaped garden boxes, surrounded by green grass and a tool shed My Seedlings groups are lucky enough to use one of their boxes

Each time we go to the shed, the kids stand there as if they are looking into a candy store. “I want the shovel, I want the rake!” they yell. They just can’t wait to get their hands the metal tools. Each time I walk into the shed I see row of hand rakes and shovels and I have this flash of paranoia. I can’t help but think….. ” can these 3 -5 year olds handle these tools. I someone going accidentally hit another kid in the head as they feverishly rake or dig in the soil???? Then I stop myself and say, “Really? Really Sue?? How will these kids ever learn that you believe they can indeed handle the rake if I don’t give them an opportunity to give it a go? Just let that fear go ” And so it goes each time I step into the shed. But you know what ? Every time they are given the tools they DO it ! They pull it off …. no one bonks anyone with the tools, just occasional dirt in the eye from exuberant shoveling.

I step back, try to observe and give as little direction as possible. Letting them be little independent souls. Oh what a wonderful experience for me, the kids and the parents.

I watch the parents as we surround the kids. While they workI can see some parents who possess the same fears I spoke of and are right there with their child and then there are others who just stand back. No judgement here from me. We all have our own bags of worries and fears instilled from our parents, our own experiences and lots of crappy TV shows.

As parents and humans, where do we draw the line in terms of allowing children to be inquisitive explorers without instilling our fears onto them? I think that is the lesson of THE RAKE which hangs in the dark shed.

Do we allow the children to learn respect for the tool and how it can be used without actually holding the rake for them and telling them this is how they do it or not do it?

Of course I am speaking metaphorically and it can be transferred to many things that we experience with our children everyday.

It is possible to teach respect for THE RAKE and here is some proof:

Kids working cooperatively! Beautiful

We had a great day of working in the garden (honestly I didn’t do anything in the garden, they did it all). They added new soil to the old, raked it out, planted beans and watered. The parents and I stood and watched our future happening in front of us! Lovely day, RAKE and all. I would love to hear some feedback on this topic from my readers!!!

Planting sugar snap peas while mom watches.

More peas in the ground!

And still more peas!

The elusive worm!

The grand finale…. water!!

JUST DANDY!!!

May 1, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Dandelion Prints

The the end result of an in-depth look at dandelions.

While some people think that dandelions are pesky, historically they were of great use ….. food, drink and medicine. But now many of us just think of them as weeds. Pesky weeds that many people shoot with chemicals to assassinate them especially before they turn into those white seed bearing blow things.

As a child, I remember blowing the seed heads all around…. running through fields of them spreading them into more and more dandelions. So fun!

Since they are busy blooming now I thought it would be a great time to look closer at these invading/nutritious plants.

I was able to dig up a really big plant with a gigantic root. I asked the kids if they knew what it was. Upon first glance one of them said, “Carrot!” But after they actually looked closer and touched it they realized it was a indeed a dandelion. We chatted about how big the root is and that it slurps up the water for the plant. Then I showed them a time lapse video of a dandelion’s life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ_QqtXoyQw

Some of them were surprised to learn that the yellow dandelion and the white puffball were from the same plant. The video helped the kids to see what happens to the yellow flower. It is actually amazing.

Then we chatted more about the leaves. I told them that you can eat dandelion leaves, BUT we need talk to an adult before picking them because sometimes they are in places that have been sprayed with chemicals or peed on by dogs etc. (if you are going to do this please do some research online.) I was able to buy some really huge dandelion leaves at Wild by Nature and we had a taste test!

Kaeley opted out of tasting, just feeling it!

Mae nibbled the tip!

Rylie digging in !

Rory getting ready to taste!

Let’s just say they learned what the word bitter means!!! However, I was so proud of the willing taste testers!

After we finished our taste test we went outside and put the remains of these leaves in the compost heap and visited with our lettuce that we planted a few weeks ago. I think this lettuce will be a bit yummier!!!

For our grand finale, we went into the field and dug up some dandelions to make prints with the leaves.

Love seeing how hard they worked to get those dandelions up!

It was a dandy day full new tastes and info. Even gave them a dandelion leaf recipe to take home if their parents are brave enough to try!

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Sauteed-Dandelion-Greens-242014

The kids will never look at dandelions in the same way!

Get out and check out your local dandelions!

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!!!!

April 14, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

A great day to start off the season with our garden. Cleaning and preparing the luscious soil to give birth to our plants with the help of Mother Sunshine!

Our 3-4 year old groups and parents were ready to lend a hand to clean out our box garden from its sleeping state. They cleared out the branches that will once again hold our bean plants and also tilled the soil. So wonderful to see the kids getting their hands dirty!!!!

Look at Finn’s face of determination as he moves the brancha

As yes then the unearthing of weeds and WORMS. I was so pleased to see these children cooperating and working in harmony as they searched for gold in the form of wiggliness! No one screeched or eeewwwwed when the worms were found. It was more like shrieks of pure joy! Dig in kids, dig in!

=

Ah yes the prize!!!

Now ready to prepare with their heads down and hard at work!

This season this garden box will be shared with the Kindergarten and Grades 1-3 groups. It will be fun to track the development.

When we finished our work in the garden we had the opportunity to run out in the freshly cut wildflower fields. Just what we all needed after toiling in the garden and the long hard winter.

Run!!! Run, Run!!!! I even see some parents out there too.

On that note, I love the parents who are willing to come be outside to be with their kids. Perhaps they realize what a gift they are giving to their children. If not, you need to know I am impressed. It is important for this young generation to learn to love our earth so that they will take care of it for future. ( oh I sound so preachy…. yuck)

So for now get out into a field, run, scream and laugh…. it’ll do your winterized body good!

Peace and hiking,

Sue

THE GATHERERS

April 3, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

I find it amusing to watch these children collect things. At times it’s been acorns but today it was stalks from the spent wildflowers. Celeste, Kathryn and Samantha were straggling behind collecting the stalks. When I asked them why they said, “because we want to build a fort.” Of course… how silly I am! I don’t know what exactly they had in mind but when we arrived at our destination they were ready to build.

Interestingly, when they arrived they seemed unsure about what to do. But this was a great opportunity for them to work together and figure it out. And they did. Time passed so quickly and we had to leave to go back to the waiting parents. They were just beginning to get into full building mode and I had to be the party pooper telling them we had to go. ” Nooooooooo, we’re not done” I actually felt bad and the playfulness in me wanted to stay til the sun went down, but I’m an adult and I had to deliver these kids back to their parents…. Sometimes I have to be the enforcer.

We finally got on the road back to the barn …. 10 minutes late (oops) And I consoled them by saying we can return next time to see what has happened to their creation. I wish they were coming back next week… I love the adventure, the spirit and the willingness to create with nothing but nature. Fun stuff!!!!!

Until next time…. get outside!

Sue

COMING SOON.. BUGS and WILDFLOWERS

March 27, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Summer 2013

WELL MAYBE NOT SOON ENOUGH!

Yes, those beautiful flowers and helpful bugs are still in a state of stillness, but in preparation of things to come I thought it would be fun to utilize the skeletons of summer and spring past.

So our troops of Kindergartners and 1st through 3rd graders bundled up and went hunting for the remnants of milkweed, evening primrose, bee balm, goldenrod, purple cone flowers. It was a great opportunity to take a look at the idea of how strong mother nature made these plants so that they can flick about in the wind and disperse their seeds.

It was awesome to see the kids sharing what they picked. Our goal was not only to find our own but make a wildflower sculpture to take home.

The older kids and I went deep into the jungle of the field. Letting them lead the way they hunted and found many interesting things.

I couldn’t help myself and let out a lot of wooops while we were walking. It was very cold and windy but it just felt so good to let out the screams of joy….. although at one point one of the boys told me I ” didn’t need to do that anymore!” Haha… what can I say I was just so excited….

Both Jack and Rylie found praying mantis egg cases!!! We added them to the 200 cases that the teenagers from S.T.A.T.E. found over the weekend Pretty cool treasure to find.

More than anything these kids are developing a confidence to lead and also to work together as a group. Something I believe is a result of playing outside. They have to take chances in an environment which they might not be used to. In the end they realize can do it!

,wi

After we hunted for a while we returned to the barn to make these!!!

Ta da!!!

They all left with pictures of what these flowers will look like when they bloom this year and a magnificent sculpture created by them!

Love the rosy cheeks and also how one of the sculptures has a milkweed with seeds still intact. (like a cradle) Another lucky find.

Until next week…… GET OUTSIDE!!! Seriously

Peace and warmth, Sue

DON’T WORRY CAUSE EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT

November 15, 2013/in Children and the outdoors, Outdoor education for children /by natasha commander

Day two of darkness hiking at Avalon! We set out with our flashlights into the night… really it was only 5:00 when we started. Once again the moon lit the sky … the rainbow rings surrounding it.

Sophia told me that she heard a story that all the snakes will come alive when the moon has that circle around it…… no snakes on this walk!

As we set out, with flashlights at the ready, we crossed the road as usual and headed into the woods. It is amazing how dark it gets with just a few lights to lead the way.

Tonight I had two experiments in my pocket. Simple as can be but fun.

I talked about our vision and our pupils and how in the dark we are basically color blind. We turned out our lights and I took out two markers (pink and green).

I drew a line of each color on their hands and asked them to guess what color they were. Most were close with their guess…. I had blues, reds, greens….. The truth would be revealed when we went back to the barn.

The second experiment involved the good ole winter green lifesavers! We sat on the leaves in a circle and crunched on these rings watching sparks pop in our mouths! It certainly was a lot of laughs.

I think it was the first time any of them had done it!!! Chemistry come to life!

Best part of the evening for me is when they all starting singing Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”….. Don’t worry about a thing…. cause everything’s gonna be alright.

Those were the only words they knew and they sang it again and again….. I think it was soothing to them as we were on our 35th minute of the hike!

Love these kids!!!!

Here’s the music if you want to play it at home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPZbIezChI

A Place in the Leaves

October 29, 2013/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

This beautiful photo was taken by Amelie, one of the hikers in the group!

On our hike to today we had a contest to see who could collect the most nuts. I called them my nutty bunch! They have a great deal of energy and it is always a challenge to get them to notice the things around them. I love that they get to run, but exploring can be part of the adventure too! After our hike the kids returned to the barn with their stash of nuts to see who was the winner. Of course we all knew that Matt would be the winner because his pockets were practically hanging down to his knees. But then something happened…. some of the kids decided to add to Matt’s pile…. so I think then they all decided they were winners!! Matt was okay with that and which made me sigh with relief!

Wiggly worm find!

Love my nutty bunch…. it was a fun day!!! xoxox

OH NUTS!!!! (and seeds)

October 18, 2013/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Today was a glorious day for taking a look at some of our trees at Avalon. Most notably the Black Walnut and the Hickory Tree!

Both produce these interesting multilayered nuts. But most of all they are exciting to SMASH open. That’s exactly what we did. Each of my enthusiatic outdoor-kids were ready to take a turn breaking open these nuts. How do those squirrels do it????

We tasted the black walnut which Shannon said had a strawberry flavor in it!! They were yummy. These odd looking nuts are hidden undercover on the trees inside these lime colored looking fruits. When they are ready, they drop to the ground and proceed to rot and turn black. Before you can get to the nutty insides you have to peel away a messy dirty layer….. yuck… then there is the treasure!

But first how do we get to the inside. Well luckily Miss Sue did some research beforehand and she brought the wrench for holding the nut (also to protect her hands from getting smashed) and a hammer. Before long they were cracked open! Everyone was eager to try it.

We were less successful with the hickory nuts, of which are all over the place but dried out inside… what a disappointment. But lot’s of fun to collect!

We continued our walk along the wildflower fields which are slowly turning brown… with seeds all ready to fall to the ground for next year’s blooms. The milkweed plants are in their glory with all of their pods popping open to reveal the amazing layers of seeds attached to little “wish” machines which will help the seeds float away to their new homes!

Amazing milkweed, amazing smile!

Happy Trails

Sue

SKIP TO MY LOU!!!

September 17, 2013/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Benjamin was so excited to show me how he could skip! So when we started our hike in the wildflower fields he took off in his bright yellow shirt skipping all the way! He skipped and skipped and before you know it there were more skippers or hoppers or runners following him. It was contagious. So much so that I joined in the fun. All that counted at that moment was the kids were free and doing what they wanted. So fun!

Maybe we could have skipping day at work??? Wouldn’t it be funny to watch your co-workers skip to the coffee room. Ha!!!

Skipping is an acquired skill. We don’t just skip…. our body has to be ready to skip. Most kids will skip by 5 but don’t fret if your child is not quite there yet! Get our there and skip or perhaps gallop, another acquired skill. Add on horse neighs and you’re really multitasking. Whew!

To see all these children back at Avalon doing what they belong doing is precious. No cell phones, no video games…. just pure organic fun.

Some kids chose to walk and that was just as good. There was more time to look for flowers and bugs. It’s all good!

Reminiscing and Looking Forward

September 10, 2013/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Today I took a walk at Avalon where I will begin my Fall classes next week. It was nice to visit the trail with my dog Lucy and stroll through the swaying trees. There are so many places that make me smile and I can almost hear the kid’s voices as I walk through different parts of the park.

The quiet and still pond with frogs relaxing on the rocks. Duckweed floating aimlessly through the water. Although I am surrounded with noises from the birds and the trickling of the waterfall, the sounds of laughter and excitement are missing., but secretly I hear them in my head. I smile. All the frogs that the kids caught, kids falling in the pond….. constant activity.

All is quiet……. for now!

We continued on walking toward the wildflower fields to see which flowers were in bloom. I saw a milkweed bug and it made me laugh. The memories of us running around the fields capturing bugs and always holding true to the promise that we would let them go when we were finished exploring. We were hunters and the atmosphere was electric!!!!

Some flowers remain and the the milkweed pods are almost ready to burst.

Finally we made it to the Barn and into the garden. There were still nasturtium blooming. I remember some of the kids tasting the peppery flower that our preschoolers planted. ” Blech! ” “Yum!” “My mother would like that!”

Our trellis for the beans lay like a sleeping baby…. next spring we will begin again!

I am looking forward to meeting new families and welcoming back some of our returning families!

We are going to have a blast and create more memories to share.

Keep on hikin

Sue

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