We hope the children in your lives will think these explorations are
FUN while you're deepening their learning experiences and getting them to think naturally in terms of
textures, shapes, colors, sounds, sizes, and smells and encouraging
imaginative play. For example, along the Alice Richards Botanical Trail, there is a "community" of faerie houses. As David Sobel writes in his wonderful book,
Last Child in the Woods,
"Children love to create miniature worlds
. . . .
Through creating miniature representations of ecosystems,
or neighborhoods, we help children conceptually grasp the big picture.
The creation of small worlds provides a concrete vehicle for understanding abstract ideas.”
And right now, helping our children grasp the bigger picture while feeling safe in the small worlds they create is more important than ever. This can also be done by collecting items as simple as sticks and stones and shells from our own backyards.
Please let us know if you conduct an
Outdoor Classroom
with your children, and please share any ideas on how we can improve our worksheets. We will be updating these often and sending additional scavenger hunts that will be specific to a particular park, trail, preserve, or green space.
Now, let’s take it outside - either in real time or VIRTUALLY!
Thank You!
Emily Ellison and The Land Trust Team
