Sensory Play and Natural Learning
For us this means sensory play at the beach with sand, shells, sticks, rocks, leaves.
It means landform lessons while driving around town, or 'going for a drive' or 'walking the dog'.
It means geography when checking out our local map - for fun.
It means exploring nature, while walking through a bush track.
It means searching and finding unknown animals in rock pools by the beach, or seeing a pod of dolphins jumping from the water, or the resident seal cruising by the jetty.
It means fishing in lakes or rivers.
It means camping in the Great Outdoors.
It means bush hiking, or mountain climbing.
For us, Nature, means ACTUALLY being IN nature, and exploring it naturally.
For us, I don't feel it necessary to find twigs and glue it to paper, or pick up shells and glue them to paper, or sort the different types of leaves there is available.
Now, if we lived in suburbia, then yeah I would probably do the activities.
Into the Classroom
Through natural experiences such as camping, going to the beach, mountain climbing, bush walking discussions come into the learning room or simply at the dining table. Children want to know things so I do the best I can to explain and answer children's questions. Nature games enter imaginatory play in our home where discussions of waves and shells enter in naturally. Kids are learning and sharing experiences with one another.
Play Matters Movement
I think a part of the problem that professionals talk about in regards to children not knowing how to play or gaining sensory experiences is based on the digital age. Many children are indoors watching television, playing video games and other digital devices rather than playing freely outdoors like when say.. I was a child. I am hearing that there are entire 'movements' going on in major sittings encouraging parents to send their children outdoors. I say move to the country ;)
Unschooling
For us, this area of learning fits into the category of Natural Learning or Unschooling. We learn more by participating in this kind of play than we do sitting around the table completing workbooks for educational purposes.
Some of the things we learn are about the animals found in those areas, and we often find them. Relationship building within the family unit. Patience. Getting along with another. Tide and flow, weather, wind movement creating waves, rips and water flow. Land forms, geology. We experience the different textures and flow of water that crashes into our sand pits and wrecks them. We find shells and smooth rocks and sometimes beach balls that we play with.
We also run our Border Collie along the beach and swim with her. She loves swimming. And running.
It is fun, and it encourages a love for learning and life.
Health & Physical Exercise
With children running around and playing we all become refreshed and relaxed, that HAS to be good for the body, mind and spirit!! The running around is even enjoyed and so is the swimming. Children are getting stronger as they get older and more capable of swimming in the waves and recovering. Just wish we had a set of body boards to enjoy with us but time will tell hey!
We are taking care of our mental health also, by relaxing and being together.
When was the last time you took YOUR family to the beach? bush? mountain? camping?
Does your family enjoy these kinds of activities in nature?
I'd love to know
5 Things I am Thankful for:
1. The area in which we live and the opportunities that it brings - naturally
2. Having a vehicle that takes us offroad - comfortably
3. Having the hubby who takes his family out into nature
4. Crisp clean air
5. Time. Free Time. That is not bogged down with 'work book work'
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