"How big is my head?"

We do not approach the world as a fixed place with clear boundaries. We experience it as something alive, layered, and full of possibility. A simple tree stump, to an adult, may register as leftover wood or part of a yard. But to a child, it becomes a kind of threshold: a place where questions begin rather than end. 

In telling a narrative us trying to understand "who lives in and on the stump", it helps to centre our perspective as actively meaning-making. Many times we discover the stump is not just an object. Anthony and Luka notice the grooves in the bark, the hollowed centre, the scattering of worms and ants. That observation sparks a question, not just what is this, but who belongs here?

What is powerful here is that we do not strictly separate "real" from "imagined." Instead, we layer them. The stump becomes both an ecosystem and a storybook world. Our comprehension is not limited. It is expansive, integrating sensory detail, prior knowledge, and creativity.

When we think about how to give back to the trees, we start with something simple - hugging a tree. It is our way of saying 'thank you' for the fresh air, the shade, and all the life trees share with us.

Emily shares why this matters. She says, "Hugging a tree is important because it helps make the whole city happier." In her own way, she reminds us that even small acts of gratitude toward nature can spread joy and bring us closer to the world around us.

Anthony describes the challenge of hugging a huge tree, spreading his arms to their widest as he tries to wrap them around its trunk. In this way, his body becomes the "language". The action itself is meant to carry the message. 

Crossing over an obstacle becomes a small but meaningful moment of learning when it is experienced as part of movement through space rather than a single physical task. As Emily, Ryan, and Luka approach the barrier, they begin by observing its height, shape, and distance. 

One by one, they step forward and commit to the movement. A foot lifts, the body shifts weight, and balance is adjusted in response to what is directly in front of them. The action requires coordination between sight, timing, and movement, as well as a growing trust in one's own ability to judge space accurately. Some move carefully and deliberately, others more fluidly, but all are engaged in the same process of adapting to the environment in real time.

As they cross, there is a subtle negotiation between caution and confidence. With practice, our body begins to learn efficiency such as how to lift, step, and less with less effort and greater control. What once felt like a barrier becomes simply part of the path.

By the time we reach the open greenery beyond, another subtle encounter unfolds. A lifeless worm lies on the ground, small and easily overlooked, yet it draws our attention and briefly interrupts our forward motion. 

In that moment, something shifts from doing to noticing. The presence of stillness in what is usually associated with movement invites a pause that is not planned but felt.

Luka notices the worm's stillness first. The way it does not resist while ants gather and move, turning its quiet into motion. His learning shows how his observation generates questions rather than answers, drawing him deeper into what he cannot yet explain.

Friends work together to collect fallen flowers and small pieces of nature, deciding what can be taken and should be left behind. We learn to resist to the temptation to pluck the beautiful flowers. We are learning to pause and ask whether they are ours to take.

As our interest in numbers grows, we begin to notice how they gather into families, much like what we see in nature. Ten becomes a kind of whole, and the numbers that follow seem to belong to it. At first, this order is not easy to see, but slowly, through counting and grouping, it begins to make sense.

Being in nature adds another layer of learning. Surrounded by trees and open space, Rebecca adds this learning experience into measuring elements in the environment. She initially begins with the tree trunks, dandelions, and moves forward to friends' heads or foreheads. This way encourages us to connect mathematical thinking with the real world.

When we explore the idea of measurement, using a real tool with intention. We experiment with where to place the tape, how to hold it steady, and what it means to measure. As we hear sizes and observe each other, we are developing early mathematical concepts such as size, length, etc.

During our outdoor exploration, a moment of curiosity sparks a wonderful learning experience. With a tape measure in her hand, Rebecca takes it further by wrapping it gently around a friend's head, asking in her own way, "How big it is?" This simple question opens the door to rich learning. Emily, Ryan, and Anthony are finding it interesting to be part of the experience. Rebecca turns something simple into a shared inquiry. 

This moment also highlights strong social collaboration. We work together, take turns and trust one another in close proximity. There is a sense of joy, cooperation, and shared purpose in appreciating nature and giving it back.

Back in the classroom, we try to connect our understanding to the tape measure, beginning to see the numbers not just as marks, but as measures of length and distance.

Anthony cuts the ribbons and tries to thread the ribbon through holes. Sometimes it seems a little hard for us, but it's always important to keep trying. He wants a help, but keeps his eyes on the ribbon and the hole, showing that he isn't giving up. He is very focus using his fingers and eye-hand coordination. Every experience of accomplishment is a huge factor of building our confidence.

The first accomplishment encourage him to try on the other holes. "It's a wormy." he says. All of  the play and imagination we have every day are connecting to the another day.

Through gardening, we begin to understand height by observing how stems grow over time. Our green bean and corn seeds grow slowly and steadily over several days. Once strong stems appear, we carefully transfer them into pots so they can continue growing.

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On the final day of our week, a surprise arrives. Dhanika's dad, a police officer, comes to visit Children & Friends in his uniform and police vehicle, drawing everyone's attention. When the loud sound is activated, we are quick to notice it and turn toward it. Thank you very much for sharing this engaging learning experience!

Kindest,
Children & Friends.