Early Discoveries

Our Nature Explore environment continues to be used by children every day! The children spend time engaged in activities such as climbing, running, water play, digging in the dirt and sand, exploring insects and worms, and tending plants like herbs, green beans, mini pumpkins, and gourds in their organic garden area. A favorite activity the children created this year is using a mortar and pestle to grind colored chalk to sprinkle on their mud and sand brownies. Creative nature art and exploration!

Our spring and summer have brought several opportunities for us to teach the children how to help us maintain and care for their environment. This spring, we were challenged by bunnies eating the leaves off the green beans as soon as they sprouted. To protect our lunch from bunnies, we built a little fence to keep them safe. Problem solved! This challenge inspired the children to pretend they were characters in the story of Peter Rabbit sneaking into Mr. McGregor’s garden. The children also learned about a tree’s circle of life.

Last week, our favorite shade and climbing tree came down during a storm. We talked through emotions and planned ways that we can still use the tree’s branches, as well as what we can plant for shade in its place later this fall.

Our future plans include sourcing large stepping stumps to support children’s physical development, expanding our Monarch Waystation by adding a native wildflower garden, and planting dill to bring in Swallowtail caterpillars.

Learn more about this classroom on their certification page!