Activity 3.5 | Hands: Creating a relationship with the Outdoors

So far, in Module 3 of this course, we have looked at leading from the Heart and the Head. As we near the end of our studies the subsequent two activities are about leading with the Hands.

What kinds of work do we do with our hands? 

We prepare our learning environment and model how to care for the many parts of our daily world. Each educator brings their own strengths to share with the children. Some are creative with food, a necessity of life, but that often becomes a struggle between picky eaters and adults with strong beliefs and values. Other educators love sharing creativity in art and enjoy finding different materials that children can explore with their senses of touch, sight, and smell. Some educators enjoy exploring the sense of sound by making music with a variety of instruments, singing, chanting and the quieter sounds of nature such as buzzing insects or running waters. There are many educators who think the best part of the day is being outdoors; the exuberance of physical activities such as running and jumping and climbing; or the quieter moments of feeling the nip of a frosty morning or the warmth of a sunny afternoon. Most children love to play with sand or soil, experimenting with water making rivulets or puddles, stacking rocks or piling fallen leaves. Walking in the forest is calming for many humans, feeling the quiet, hearing a branch rustle as a small animal scurries off to hide itself, the earthy smell of conifers or the sudden sight of a bright ripe berry. What wonderful memories are created for a child enjoying the sounds, smells and sights on a forest walk!

There are many resources available for educators who want to be inspired to share the wonders of the outdoors with young children. Consider allowing some of your budget to buy books about outdoor planning and play and encourage educators to visit libraries and share favourite articles in a binder.

The BC Early Learning Framework is a resource that educators in BC use frequently to inspire pedagogical narrations or learning stories about moments in time in the outdoors. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the document, especially Section 3.

Reference

British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2019). British Columbia early learning framework. Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Children and Family Development, & Early Advisory Group. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/early-learning-framework