A Sense of Wonder…
By Ann Thompson
There are so many rich experiences available to us throughout the year if we choose to step outside into our gardens, parks, beaches and woodlands to explore the natural world! There is an abundant and ever-changing colour palette to be observed in the leaves, petals, fungi, bark, cones, seeds and grasses in our natural environments. Seasonal precipitation, changing temperatures, reflections, light and cloud cover subtly enhance or dramatically transform the array of colour shades, tones and hues offered for our delight.
Children are born with a natural urge to explore the world with all their senses and they are fascinated as they see, hear, touch, smell and taste each new experience for the first time. We can offer children opportunities to climb trees, walk alongside a flowing river, paddle in the sea, gaze into a rock pool and comb a beach for shells, stones and sea glass. Forage in a woodland for sticks, cones and leaves, lie on the ground to watch cloud formations drift by…
In Springtime, clusters of subtle yellow primroses are contrasted with the swathes of yellow daffodils that brighten our parks and grass verges. Tulips of every hue follow a few weeks later. In late Spring there is the magical transformation of woodland floors with a carpet of native or Spanish bluebells. Every child deserves to experience this fairy landscape and imagine “what if?” They could create their own fairy gardens, houses and characters from twigs, stones, clay and plants with tiny flowers such as forget-me-nots, make up their own fairy stories and perhaps write an invitation to a fairy tea party…
Spring is also the perfect time of year to experience beautiful tree blossom. Flowers and petals of apple and cherry blossom provide a great multi sensory resource that can be explored in many different ways; water play, colour mixing, pattern making and texture kitchen play to name a few!
With fresh thoughts and play ideas each month, our journal posts will invite you to slow down, look and appreciate the magnificence of being part of life on this beautiful planet…those who have direct contact with nature can receive a most precious gift; a lifelong sense of wonder!
At Naturally Creative Early Years we create picturebooks, ideas books and resources that aim to inspire Natural and Creative Play outdoors and with natural and recycled materials.
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