Nature Observations

To learn about the importance of preserving the environment, experiences in nature are essential. We are naturally full of wonder and curiosity. Insects, trees, plants, and birds are beautiful, intriguing, and alive. We encourage ourselves to document our observations in a nature journal. 

We can draw pictures, take photographs, or write down our thoughts and feelings about our experiences in nature. 

During our walks we like to come down to touch and place collected moss onto our palms. By exploring moss, it naturally offer us opportunities for imaginative play, experimentation, and hands on exploration of the world of plants. 

Emily describes the moss' texture as soft. It is essential for us to become aware of the things we touch. Things that are wet. cold. rough, and many more. We learn about different textures through sight and touch. By doing so we are also developing body awareness. According to Educational Playcare, body awareness is the feedback our brains receive from stretch receptors in our muscles and pressure receptors in joints which enable us to gain a sense where our bodies are in space. 

The outdoor learning environment offers a wonderful space to inspire our imaginations through dramatic play. By adding a few layers of moss onto the ground,
Margo comes up with her imaginative idea to leave traces. In this sense, mosses help create a fantasy-like environment to support our creative minds.

When we nurture living environments we experience the benefits of caring. For example. Emily exhibits a mindful thinking when she notices there is a piece of bread being placed  on top of the stump. She slows her steps down prior to completely pause to notice and think ​for others.

By instilling environmental awareness in ourselves since young age, we can help ourselves become informed and passionate stewards of the environment. By recording the interesting things we see, smell, hear, feel, and wonder about we  develop a lifelong habit of nature observation. 

We exhibit our observation skills while attending to the question what's going on outside? The heart of nature journaling is not drawing skills. The very act of drawing something encourages us, as observers, to do that kind of aware looking that is necessary to forge ​meaningful connections. 

As the saying goes, "As the old year makes way for the new, remember that you are the author of your own story."  We would like to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful year 2024! 

Kindest,
​Children & Friends.