children and the outdoors Archives

INSPIRED

April 16, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Couldn’t help but write about something that occurred last week while I was teaching my class.

I was working with my Kindergarten gang in the garden and field. When we finished, the moms, dads and siblings hung around as they sometimes do. Today it was extra special because Emma, who is in my older Natural Patterns class, chose to create this amazing structure from the recently cut wildflower fields.

She was busy as a bee creating what looked like a teepee shaped shelter complete with an entrance.

All of this came from within her! How amazing to take the initiative and focus on creating a piece of natural art! She was so proud and protective of it. I was in awe.

It reminded me of the work of Patrick Dougherty, an artist who creates amazing sculptures by bending sticks. Sounds simple, but when you look at his work you can’t help but want to climb inside and take it all in. I did have opportunity to see one of his pieces in California years ago along with my daughter. There is something so primitive and earthly about them.

Check it out!

When it is was finally time to go she reluctantly walked away knowing that it would never look the same but she hoped that the next time she returned it would still be there.

Being outside gives us all the opportunity to look at what is around us. For some it inspires art, poetry or just peace. Whatever it is take some time to BE out there and perhaps you’ll walk away with more than you came with. I know that Emma did!

Thank you Emma for making my day!

Check out : http://www.stickwork.net/featured/ for more about Patrick Dougherty

Peace

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

HIKING, DRUMMING AND ART…. A FULL LIFE!

March 19, 2014/in Children and the outdoors /by natasha commander

Today’s classes = A full heart.

3, 4 and 5 year olds are so amazing and sharing my time with them and their parents makes my sun shine.

We began our day with an “Eye Spy” book where the kids helped to identify animals by seeing their eyes and color. It was great to see all of them so engaged and full of answers. Each time they met with success they wanted more and more. Most of the time I become so rapt with them that nothing else going on in my life matters. A breath of fresh air!!

DRUMMING:

Drumming was something I decided to introduce to the kids this season. I’ve always felt drumming is such a great outlet for kids and adults alike. When I introduced the drum to them a few weeks ago you could see the kids were dying to get their hands on it! I’ve also incorporated these homemade bamboo rhythm sticks, so the kids can play along when they are not having their turn up at the drum. This week we worked on slow and fast drumming. I think almost every kid came up to drum and when it was time for the moms to do it we had three brave moms volunteer . Best part of that was seeing how proud the kids were of their moms. Lots of loving hugs for them. Ahhhh so wonderful! My hope is to get all the kids drumming by the end of our eight classes together!

It’s all part of my philosophy of, “its’ okay to be loud, get dirty and be less fearful.” (that goes for parents too!!)

ART:

Their seasonal trees were completed today. The first week they printed their trees with styrofoam and paint. This week they finished with cotton for the snow and oil pastels for leaves and blossoms. Just lovely!! Every piece is unique…. just like these kids 🙂

HIKING:

A yes we finally got outside! Still a bit chilly but the air was so fresh. We began by bird watching all the Robin Red Breasts eating the Staghorn Sumac. Don’t worry moms, it is not poison sumac …. they have white berries. We were able to to see the birds up close and also examine what it was they were eating. Yum yum…

Eye spy the Robins…..