Yesterday I began my new journey working at a local park and preserve.  Finally, an opportunity for me to use my creative talents and apply them to children and nature.   I have arrived.  Teaching and exploring all of the natural world around us with children who are so ready to embrace nature.  There are no limits to the ideas and experiences they will enjoy in these upcoming classes.

My first day was spent with parents and their children ages 2 1/2 to 4.  We hopped and walked in straight lines like bunnies and dogs.  Then painted our feet and walked on paper to look at the marks humans leave!  Then we set out on a hike to look for some animal tracks.  We found some dog tracks, bird tracks, deer tracks in the snow and of course human tracks too!  It was exciting for all of us to be out in the bright sun, with the blue clouds surrounding us in the wildflower fields that lay dormant!  One boy thought he found a dinosaur track!!  How fun!

My next class was with 9 and 10 year olds.  We talked about what inspires us in life and learned of  someone who was truly inspired by nature, John Muir.  We began our journals, created tree sculptures out of wire and set out on our hike through the rolling hills of the preserve.  There was lively conversation about their ideas and time for exploring buds and holes in trees.  No stress just us and the woods.  How wonderful.  Every child should know what it is to walk in the woods.

“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks”    ~John Muir

More classes next week………