Last week here in Central Illinois we had some nice weather. Needless to say the kids and I spent most of the time outdoors. It had rained and there was plenty of mud out there. As soon we got outside the children ran directly to the mud. Sticks, and even tree limbs, where immediately gathered and construction was on its way. I saw a magnificent beaver house unfold before my eyes.
Wow! How awesome to see the children working together, using their imagination, looking for branches, rocks and kneading that soft, cool mud in their hands to make a beaver house. Not to mention how boys and girls worked together as a team to reach their goal.
Who says children need to be inside in a room with "teacher" teaching them all there is to know? Those kids talked about animal habitats, worked together and developed their gross and small motor skills, language, social/emotional and cognitive skills and sure got creative. Just by going outside and letting nature be their teacher.
Each year that goes by I'm more and more convinced that we "teachers" provide the atmosphere and inspiration and the children do the rest.
Please don't stay in. As the weather in your area gets better, GET OUT!!!!!!
Be healthy and happy.
See you soon, N.
