One of our missions at the Children's Garden is to create a connection to the natural world which opens up a child's innate sense of wonder, sparks creativity, arouses curiosity, and gives children a deep respect for our environment.
We support this connection by offering natural play areas, hands-on science & nature projects, organic gardening, preparation of healthy natural foods, natural non-toxic cleaning supplies, clean energy, sustainable environmental practices, animal stewardship, and ample time for unstructured outdoor play everyday.
Nature-based learning is blossoming the world over and incorporates the following ideas:
- Children learning about their connections to the natural environment through all subjects.
- Children having direct experience in both the human built and natural environment in their own community.
- Children having time to just "be" in nature, to play, to become naturally curious, and to powerfully stimulate their sense of wonder and discovery.
- Children using critical thinking to make decisions about and act for the environment.
- Children using place-based experience to create an inquiry focused, relevant and real world, hands-on investigation of their world.
Many studies show the positive links between nature-based learning with children’s mental, emotional and physical health and well-being.
Check out these 10 Benefits of Nature-Based Learning inspired by years of research with the North American Association of Environmental Education:
Check out these 10 Benefits of Nature-Based Learning inspired by years of research with the North American Association of Environmental Education:
1. Enhances cognitive abilities. Proximity to, views of, and daily exposure to natural settings increases children’s ability to focus and enhances cognitive abilities (Wells, 2000).
2. Supports creativity and problem solving. Studies of children in schoolyards found that children engage in more creative forms of play in the green areas. They also played more cooperatively (Bell and Dyment, 2006). Play in nature is especially important for developing capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual development (Kellert, 2005).
3. Reduces stress. Green plants and vistas reduce stress among children. Locations with greater number of plants, greener views, and access to natural play areas show more significant results (Wells and Evans, 2003).
4. Improves academic performance. Studies in the US show that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27% (American Institutes for Research, 2005).
5. Reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms. Contact with the natural world can significantly reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder in children (Kuo and Taylor, 2004).
6. Increases physical activity. Children who experience school grounds with diverse natural settings are more physically active, more aware of nutrition, more civil to one another and more creative (Bell and Dyment, 2006).
7. Improves nutrition. Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables (Bell & Dyment, 2008) and to show higher levels of knowledge about nutrition (Waliczek, & Zajicek, 2006). They are also more likely to continue healthy eating habits throughout their lives (Morris & Zidenberg-Cherr, 2002).
8. Improves eyesight. More time spent outdoors is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness, also known as myopia, in children and adolescents (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2011).
9. Improves social relations. Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors (Burdette and Whitaker, 2005).
10. Improves self-discipline. Access to green spaces, and even a view of green settings, enhances peace, selfcontrol and self-discipline with children (Taylor, Kuo and Sullivan, 2001).
2. Supports creativity and problem solving. Studies of children in schoolyards found that children engage in more creative forms of play in the green areas. They also played more cooperatively (Bell and Dyment, 2006). Play in nature is especially important for developing capacities for creativity, problem-solving, and intellectual development (Kellert, 2005).
3. Reduces stress. Green plants and vistas reduce stress among children. Locations with greater number of plants, greener views, and access to natural play areas show more significant results (Wells and Evans, 2003).
4. Improves academic performance. Studies in the US show that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education support significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math. Students in outdoor science programs improved their science testing scores by 27% (American Institutes for Research, 2005).
5. Reduces Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) symptoms. Contact with the natural world can significantly reduce symptoms of attention deficit disorder in children (Kuo and Taylor, 2004).
6. Increases physical activity. Children who experience school grounds with diverse natural settings are more physically active, more aware of nutrition, more civil to one another and more creative (Bell and Dyment, 2006).
7. Improves nutrition. Children who grow their own food are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables (Bell & Dyment, 2008) and to show higher levels of knowledge about nutrition (Waliczek, & Zajicek, 2006). They are also more likely to continue healthy eating habits throughout their lives (Morris & Zidenberg-Cherr, 2002).
8. Improves eyesight. More time spent outdoors is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness, also known as myopia, in children and adolescents (American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2011).
9. Improves social relations. Children will be smarter, better able to get along with others, healthier and happier when they have regular opportunities for free and unstructured play in the out-of-doors (Burdette and Whitaker, 2005).
10. Improves self-discipline. Access to green spaces, and even a view of green settings, enhances peace, selfcontrol and self-discipline with children (Taylor, Kuo and Sullivan, 2001).
Have a look at what we have been up to this Fall as we have been learning all about trees! Our playgrounds are surrounded by an abundance of beautiful trees and trees are a topic of study that always seems to captivate our young learners.
Tree-mendous Trees!
We started our learning block on trees by visiting all the trees in the garden and collecting different leaves for study and various projects. While we were exploring we discovered so many different insects, baby plants, snails, and interesting rocks.
Fall is a natural time to learn about trees and with so many thunderstorms this year we have been grateful to have our indoor classroom as well as our outdoor classroom to learn about our great friends - The Trees!
Sorting and Matching Leaves
From a pile of leaves from 9 different varieties of trees our young learners sorted and classified with the different shapes, colors, and scents.
We also sorted the different berries and seeds the trees create!
Leaf Rubbings
First we talked about the texture of the leaves and what it felt like when we touched the leaves. After feeling the texture of the leaves we then documented our leaves with texture rubbings.
Beeswax block crayons are amazing tools for young children's artwork. They are easy to hold, made of natural ingredients, and are very bright and opaque. The broad edge can be used to make smooth color and is ideal for rubbings.
Leaf Tracing
We traced some of our leaves then cut out and colored the different shapes.
Gold Leaf Leaves
To further highlight the different shapes and qualities of the leaves we made Gold Leaf Leaves! We painted dried leaves with adhesive and then carefully layered the thin gold sheets on top.
The kids were very impressed that gold leaf is made from real gold!
Tree Rings
How old are trees? If you count all the growth rings on the inside of a tree it will tell you how old the tree is.
Bark Rubbings
We made rubbings of bark from various trees to compare their lines and texture.
Painting Branches
An interesting way to pay attention to different branches is to cover them in paint and see what you notice!
Who lives in trees?
We found a caterpillar on one of our Texas Redbud leaves which started the questions: Who lives in trees? What do they eat?
The first answer was "Birds live in trees!", then "Squirrels", then "Owls!".
What grow in trees?
"Fruits!", "Nuts", and "Flowers!".
We made stamps from real apples!
We made stamps from real apples!
Our Magical Classroom Tree!
We put all the art projects together and created a magnificent collaborative Art Tree!
First we ripped up some of our bark rubbings to create the trunk.
First we ripped up some of our bark rubbings to create the trunk.
Then we attached some of our leaf rubbings to our painted branches with copper wire.
With a hot glue gun we attached our branches to our canvas.
What are the parts of a tree?
We made a poster explaining the different parts of a tree, what their purposes are, how trees benefit others, and how can we help the trees.
How do trees eat?
We used paper towels as a model to explore how the roots fibers and vessels help water overcome gravity by absorbing the water molecules and nutrients. The older Science Friday kids also learned that water has amazing properties partly due to their molecules having a positive and negative side that help them attach to each other and plant roots. This allows them to overcome gravity through capillary action!
Klimt's Tree of Life
The previous gold leafing activity reminded us of Gustav Klimt's famous painting "The Tree of Life". We looked at a copy of the original painting and then made our own versions with rich gold paint, stencils, and stamps.
Natural Paintbrushes
We painted with the small twigs and leaves from various trees.
Tree Creatures
We created unique sculptures from red clay, sticks, leaves, seed pods, and other tree-made items,
Tree Still Life
We studied our miniature Benjamin Tree as we followed its lines and shapes with colored pencils and beeswax crayons.
Mystery Tree Game
The kids loved this fun sensory game! Find a tree and touch it, smell it and listen. Try to memorize the sounds around the tree, the smell of the tree and the texture of the tree. Take at least 20 steps away from the tree and have your partner blindfold you and spin you around gently. With your partner guiding you try to find your way back to the tree!
The trees are our friends!
We asked the children "What are all the ways trees help us?" and they quickly answered:
"They give us food!"
"They clean the air!"
"They make homes for animals!"
"They make wood so we can build houses!"
"Paper! Books are made from trees!"
"They give us food!"
"They clean the air!"
"They make homes for animals!"
"They make wood so we can build houses!"
"Paper! Books are made from trees!"
Native Texas Pecans
We harvested pecans, used hammers to crack them open, and then picked out the tasty nuts for our Pecan Pumpkin Muffins (see recipe at end of blog!).
All the wood around us!
All this talk of trees really had us noticing all the things around us that originally come from trees. There are so many instruments made from wood... guitars, drums, ukeleles, egg shakers...
The amazing Molly Venter visited us with a music class underneath our beloved Magic Tree!
Wood Beads
The kids loved making these wooden bracelets and created some simple patterns.
Woodworking
Need to occupy your little one for a while? Give them a block of wood and some sandpaper - they loved this!
After sanding, we painted some of our wood blocks in preparation of a collaborative project.
After painting, we glued our wooden pieces together with REAL wood glue!
Mr Ben guided us to make a strong and stable base, then we got all creative and artistic on top!
Some of the older kids used vices, hammers, and nails to create their own work!
The younger kids practiced hammering on pumpkins!
Recycled Paper
One way to support the trees is to recycle paper products. We made our own creative paper from recycled art projects and leaves and flowers from the garden.
"There's no way that we can help children to learn to love and preserve this planet, if we don't give them direct experiences with the miracles and blessings of nature."
- Anita Olds
- Anita Olds
Painting Pumpkins
"I did it!"
The Not-So-Spooky Halloween Yoga Adventure
This month the kids have loved Halloween Yoga - try some at home together! We included some of the different creatures they might encounter trick or treating in a fun, full-bodied, light-hearted yoga sequence!
Crescent Moon
Feel the stretch from your fingers to your toes!
Flying Bat Breath
Raise your arms up into bat wings with an inhale then exhale into a forward bend as an upside down sleeping bat. As you exhale it's fun to make a screeching bat noise!
Roaring Monster
Take a deep squat with an inhale, then as you exhale stick out your tongue and open your face wide with a monster roar!
Crooked Tree Pose
Grow your roots deep into the ground on your standing leg, then balance up into tree pose with crooked arms for a 'spooky' effect.
Mummy Moves
With your arms straight out in front of you, inhale your right leg up, exhale down, then inhale your left leg up, exhale down.
Laughing Witch
Sit back into chair pose on an inhale, as you exhale cackle like a witch!
Howling Werewolf
On an inhale come down into downward dog, on an exhale howl like a werewolf! Stick one leg up and wag your werewolf tail!
Ghost Cow
On an inhale curve your back up into cow pose as you exhale say "Mooooooo" like a ghost saying "Booooooo" then on an inhale arch up into cat and as you exhale say "Meeoooow".
Twisting Owl
Sit on your knees. With an inhale stretch your spine long and open your wise eyes. With an exhale, stretch your chin over your right shoulder and say "hoohooo", repeat on left side.
Pumpkin Pose
Exhale down into child's pose. Curve your back round like a pumpkin. Imagine you are a jack o lantern and that the light of the candle is deep in your heart. Take 3 deep breaths here, imagining your glowing candle in your heart.
Pecan Pumpkin Muffins
These superfood muffins were loved by all! The kids loved using hammers to prepare the pecans and chocolate chunks. Hammers were a hit this month for so many different activities!
Step 1.
Prepare the pecans by hammering into small pieces in a plastic bag. Prepare the chocolate chunks by hammering a 1/2 bar of dark chocolate into small bits.
Step 2:
Mix together 4 eggs, 3 TBS of soaked chia seeds, 1 cup pureed pumpkin, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 cup coconut oil.
Step 3:
In another bowl mix together 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 TBS pumpkin pie spice, and 1/4 cup Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener.
Step 4:
Combine wet and dry ingredients until mixed thoroughly.
Step 5:
Spoon mixture into mini muffin pan.
Step 6:
Mix 1/2 cup smashed (or chopped) pecans with 1 TBS of coconut oil and 1 TBS of coconut sugar, sprinkle pecan mix on top of muffins, then bake at 400 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes.
7 Tips for Taking Young Children Outdoors
1. Start with free play. Playing outdoors, exploring textures and colors, running and jumping, designing and building are all learning activities in and of themselves.
2. Short focused trips are ok! It doesn't have to be a whole day adventure. Even a ten-minute walk can yield lots of observations.
3. Be safe. Preview the space to be explored whenever possible. Point out dangers such as broken glass or thorny plants. Make sure everyone has appropriate clothing for the weather.
4. Encourage respect for nature. Tell children that they need to respect plants and animals just like they respect one another. Be a good role model by being gentle with leaves and insects. Before you go out, talk about whether it is okay to pick flowers or collect worms.
5. Encourage a sense of wonder. If you don’t know the names of plants or birds, don’t worry. Just make sure students are observing and using their senses. There are plenty of field guides available if students want to try to identify something.
6. Visit the same spot multiple times over the course of the year. Even in winter, there can be interesting rocks, twigs, birds, and signs of animals to observe.
7. Draw and write. When students record observations, they are more focused and have more to think and talk about when you get back inside.
"I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parent seeking to guide her, it is not half so important to know as to feel when introducing a young child to the natural world. If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow. The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil."
-Rachel Carson
2. Short focused trips are ok! It doesn't have to be a whole day adventure. Even a ten-minute walk can yield lots of observations.
3. Be safe. Preview the space to be explored whenever possible. Point out dangers such as broken glass or thorny plants. Make sure everyone has appropriate clothing for the weather.
4. Encourage respect for nature. Tell children that they need to respect plants and animals just like they respect one another. Be a good role model by being gentle with leaves and insects. Before you go out, talk about whether it is okay to pick flowers or collect worms.
5. Encourage a sense of wonder. If you don’t know the names of plants or birds, don’t worry. Just make sure students are observing and using their senses. There are plenty of field guides available if students want to try to identify something.
6. Visit the same spot multiple times over the course of the year. Even in winter, there can be interesting rocks, twigs, birds, and signs of animals to observe.
7. Draw and write. When students record observations, they are more focused and have more to think and talk about when you get back inside.
"I sincerely believe that for the child, and for the parent seeking to guide her, it is not half so important to know as to feel when introducing a young child to the natural world. If facts are the seeds that later produce knowledge and wisdom, then the emotions and the impressions of the senses are the fertile soil in which the seeds must grow. The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil."
-Rachel Carson
See you next time!
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