Our Growing Hearts and Mind

During our days of journeying with nature, our affection towards trees around us grows deeper. With our emerging understanding, we perceive trees as symbols of life, nature, and sustainability. Through our shared conversation, we understand their vital role in the environment, their beauty, and the peace they bring to our lives. We have been developing a deeper appreciation for trees in recent years, recognizing their importance in combating climate change and providing habitat for wildlife.

The real situation of many trees being cut for the need of the world is our significant environmental concern. Kai, is concerned with the above, comes up with his empathic mind for animals to put their legs in water (when they feel too hot when there is no sufficient shade).

Nora shares her empathy when asked if she were a tree or leaves ​in regard to the above concern. She mentions, I will like to say to the people to not cut me. In this way Nora is able to connect emotionally with the idea that cutting down trees harms the planet we all share. This perspective often motivates action and advocacy.

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Pranssi places leaves, adds layers of color, and carefully drapes jute over them. When she speaks about her creation, her words carry both tenderness and depth: "The tree is trapped by the jute, but is helping because the tree was cutting. The jute is helping to cover the leaves." Her explanation reflects a profound sensitivity, seeing the jute not as a simple material but as a symbol of both struggle and care. Through her art, she creates a story of repair-of something hurt being tended to, wrapped in care and possibility. Does she see the jute as a way to make the tree whole again? Her work challenges us to consider how children perceive the balance between harm and nurture, and how they make sense of the world through their hands and words. Pranssi's art is more than a creation-it is a narrative of empathy, resilience, and renewal.

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In today's art exploration, Nora gathers leaves and blends them with bright colors to create a unique piece. She looks at her work with pride and shares, "There is a rainbow with leaves on the top." Curious, we ask, "How do the leaves reach the top of the rainbow?" Nora pauses thoughtfully, and says, "The wind is blowing the leaves up." 
Her rainbow is not just a picture-it is alive, moving and connected to the forces of nature she observes and reimagines. Nora weaves the tangible and the imaginary, using the leaves to tell a story of journeys and connection. Her creation invites us to see the world as she does-where rainbows are not just arcs of color but dynamic spaces, where nature and creativity dance together to lift dreams skyward.

This dynamic space is experienced by us in many ways. Tvisha participates in a game like jump rope, where she jumps over a rope that is stationary. In this way, she has a fun and engaging learning experience that helps develop coordination. balance, and motor skills. Tvisha is likely focused on timing her jumps to avoid tripping over. While working on the process, she builds her endurance, agility, and rhythm.

We strive to nurture a connection between ourselves and the natural world. Recently, our class revisits an important topic close to our hearts: deforestation. This discussion is inspired by our previous trip to the little forest near our centre, where we observe firsthand the remnants of deforestation—cut trees and stumps left behind.

During our group discussion, we share what we remember and how we feel about what we have observed. We converse about how cutting down trees takes away homes for animals, forcing them to fly or move away in search of new places to live.

​Some note that the animals may not find a new home easily and can become tired or even unable to survive without a safe place to stay. We empathize with the animals, comparing the loss of trees to losing their own beds or homes, and expressed concern about the impact deforestation has on nature. This thoughtful dialogue highlights the our growing understanding of the interconnectedness of living things and the importance of protecting natural habitats.

​To bring this discussion to life, we introduce a hands-on learning experience where we work with small wooden stumps to create our own trees. Using glue guns, we carefully attach stumps together, building taller structures to symbolize growing trees. The focus of this learning experience is on creating height and imagining how trees might regrow after deforestation. As we work, we experiment with balancing the stumps and figuring out how to make our trees sturdy, which adds an element of problem-solving to the creative process.

When the learning experience is complete, we gather to admire our collaborative efforts. We express pride in the taller trees we have built, noting how important it is to help forests grow back. The act of creating something tangible from the stumps we have seen in the forest allows us to process our observations and turn our concerns into positive action.
This simple yet meaningful learning experience not only deepens our understanding of deforestation but also gives us a sense of empowerment. By using our hands and imagination, we symbolize the possibility of renewal and the importance of caring for the natural world. These moments of reflection and creation help lay the foundation for a lifelong appreciation of and responsibility toward the environment. 

Luka sits surrounded by colorful shapes, his tiny hands moving with care and purpose.  He picks up a shape, and then places it in its matching spot following the color. When colors align, his whole face lights up, his eyes sparkling with pride and wonder. he lets out a laugh-a sound filled with pure, unfiltered joy. 
This moment is more than play; it's a celebration of Luka's curiosity and growing understanding of his world. Each match is a triumph, a discovery that fuels his confidence and sense of capability. His happiness radiates outward, reminding us of the magic in small victories and the beauty of seeing the world through a child's eyes.

"In the jungle, there are so many strangers, lions, tigers and crocodiles. It is so scary," Pransi says with wide eyes, her voice filled with both awe and apprehension. Through her words, we glimpse her vivid imagination and her deep emotions. For Pransi, the jungle is not just a faraway place-it is alive with unknowns, a space where the unfamiliar feels overwhelming and fear takes shape. Her use of the word "strangers" reveals how she bridges her understanding of the human world with the natural one, connecting the unfamiliar animals to her feelings about meeting unknown people.

"There are not strangers, there are just animals," Kai says after listening to Pransi's fears. To Kai, the jungle is not a place of fear but of understanding-a world where every creature belongs. His statement holds a quiet wisdom, inviting us to see the animals not as threats but as beings simply existing in their home. Kai's perspective reflects his deep sense of clarity and acceptance. His words are not only logical but also compassionate, offering reassurance to Pranssi without dismissing her feelings.

Kindest,
Children & Friends.