Remember We Can’t Cancel The Spring!

Trees

At this time of immense change for us it is lovely to see that nature continues on her merry way oblivious to it all. When thinking about a blog I could write I found myself staring out of the window into the distance and realised I was focussing on “My apple tree”.

I have watched this tree grow from a sapling into a strong, tall tree which changes throughout the year producing a rich harvest of apples every autumn. I have personally learned so much from the growth of this tree and it set me to thinking of the possibilities of learning opportunities afforded to children that trees and nature can offer.

Outdoor learning is a part of most of our early years children’s lives and hopefully there will be trees for them to discover.

Tracking the seasonal change of trees

· Photos and drawings – children may enjoy taking photos of trees throughout the year or drawing or painting them. Helping the children to be cogniscant and responding to nature impacts on their mental health.

· Rich language through talking about the trees – their features and their changes.

· Investigating the leaves, various barks, flowers, fruits and blossoms.

Learning about the birds and animals whose homes are in the trees

· Birdwatching

· Looking for squirrels

· Minibeasts living on the leaves and bark

Exploration

· Den building – under or in the trees

· Tree climbing

· Light and shade

At this time we need our nature prescriptions and even if we can’t get out and about as much, many of the same benefits can be stimulated and triggered from looking from a window.

By Fiona Connolly.