This year we have studied nature in depth, from the grandness of God's creation to the life cycle of a ladybug. As The Nest serves children growing up in urban environments we try to connect with nature whenever possible. At this time of year, we bring spring and new life indoors and invite children to take a good look so they can draw what they see.
At first, a child may be scared because it's unfamiliar, but then we see them open up and start exploring. When the children first spotted the ladybug larva there were cries of “BUGS!” and “Ew!” After looking at books, and making observational drawings, now the conversation is about aphids, larva and pupae.
This experience stretches children to move into drawing different lines, noting small details, and considering how to reflect three-dimensional objects in a two-dimensional design. The more they experience this kind of drawing, the greater attention we see to the object at hand.
One child’s desire to use watercolor paints to represent a toy bird led the teachers in a new direction with this media. On our walk to the bank we looked and listened closely for birds, following their sounds until we found their nests, high up in the cornices or under air conditioning units of the buildings we walked past. When we stayed still and quiet, we even saw the nestlings peeking out waiting for their food to be delivered.
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| Robin by Kennedy |
Today we planted microgreens seeds and considered how the indoor seeds would get the sun and rain they need to grow. Abe said “A teacher can help us water them.” It will take patience to wait for the seeds to grow over the coming weeks.
The discovery table now also houses soil with different inhabitants… worms. The children grow bolder in their willingness to gently hold the worms.
By interacting with nature, the children realize they are part of something larger than themselves and grow in their wonder of the world that surrounds them.
