Mentoring
CONNECTION TO NATURE
Through immersion in nature, children gain confidence and awareness of both their bodies and their surroundings.
The role of nature as teacher and mentor never ceases to amaze me. I see small children who were tentative at first when going down the trail, needing the reassurance of a hand when crossing roots, rocks or uneven ground. Over time, they become valiant explorers who tromp through rivulets, climb moss covered downed trees, run up and down the very paths that were so foreign to them just a few short months ago.
I see their signs of empathy every day for the nature that surrounds them. To these children there is a deep connection between the beautiful aesthetic moments that they witness on our walks and the fantasy world of fairies. Fairies awe us with their magic but they also need our protection!
Putting ourselves in to the position of the animals, fairies, trees makes us the earth's stewards....
Putting ourselves in to the position of the animals, fairies, trees makes us the earth's stewards....
“Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.”
~Thomas Berry
~Thomas Berry
LEARNING BY DOING
Children may not use the scientific method but we give them the freedom to experiment.
And they do this through play.
Although an idea for an exploration may start with a single child, it is not long before the interest of others in the group are piqued and that is when the magic of collaboration begins. Collaboration and cooperation are essential for good citizenry.
Space and time is given to make mistakes, to make trials, to find solutions.
We use improvised tools, real tools, no tools at all.
Self-guided learning is very creative and can last a lifetime!
And they do this through play.
Although an idea for an exploration may start with a single child, it is not long before the interest of others in the group are piqued and that is when the magic of collaboration begins. Collaboration and cooperation are essential for good citizenry.
Space and time is given to make mistakes, to make trials, to find solutions.
We use improvised tools, real tools, no tools at all.
Self-guided learning is very creative and can last a lifetime!
“The arts especially address the idea of aesthetic experience. An aesthetic experience is one in which your senses are operating at their peak; when you’re present in the current moment; when you’re resonating with the excitement of this thing that you’re experiencing; when you are fully alive.”
– Changing Education Paradigms, Sir Ken Robinson
– Changing Education Paradigms, Sir Ken Robinson
CREATIVITY
Inquiry & Exploration Made Visible
Children have many ways of expressing their thoughts, observations and musings. Their minds are bursting with potential for independent learning, fueled by that curiosity that we so nostalgically remember as adults. Each day, we might dictate our thoughts to be written down in our book, or draw our plans, or discuss with others.
Trial and error, laddered learning, experimentation and creative problem solving all lead to answers or new questions. We learn to respect each other's questions and opinions, knowing that the same courtesy is returned.
Trial and error, laddered learning, experimentation and creative problem solving all lead to answers or new questions. We learn to respect each other's questions and opinions, knowing that the same courtesy is returned.
