Fascination of water, snow, mud and fire in Scotland.

Nurture through Nature

Even though we don't necessarily have woodlands, babbling brooks, mist in the valleys or snow on the ground - nature is the ultimate engaging vehicle for teaching and learning. It's all about seeing the potential of the landscapes around you, observing how the children interact and responding to their inquiries. We were children today - viewing, pondering, creating, playing - withsnow, water, fire and food!! 

The Scottish Crannog Centre - Kenmore, Perthshire. www.crannog.co.uk 

We travelled up the mountains to The Crannog - a type of ancient loch-dwelling found throughout Scotland and Ireland dating from 2,500 years ago. An important part of Scottish eritage, many crannogs were built out in the water as defensive homesteads and represented symbols of power and wealth. 

The Crannog is a learning space that links local cultural history with respect for nature and the resources it provides. The same links need to be made to our local environments and culture before we can expect children to respect the environment in which they play. Fascinating place and exemplified how nature provides a multitude of REAL things to enable us to survive. 

  Frost and sunshine - so many PLODS -'Possible                                                                                                                    lines of development"

Landscapes -so many creative transient art possibilities

 Mist in the valleys - We used our theories to discuss a phenomenon such as this.

Learning Pathways - where do the trees go when the mist rolls in?

The Crannog - mastercraft of the Iron Age

Snow

PLAYTIME with the children back at Auchlone -

 Our collaboratively created papercraft lampshade made from willow and tissue paper. We whittled our wood with our new knifing skills -remembering our 'blood circle' safety rules. The children thought it looked like a fish and commended us for our efforts! 

We made toffee apples from the chn's apple tree, played hidey in Auchlone dark dens and surroundings and lit candles for decorated glass jars that led us down a garden path to many destinations. 

Then......

 Off to the forest to collect sticks twice the length of our arms for marshmellow toasting on the fire.

AND.... tried our hands at photobombing!

"Imagine a space where the carpet changes every day, the ceiling is a myriad of different colours, light, shadow and movement. The feelings and movement completely surround you, sometimes breezy, sometimes cold other times warm. 

Unexpected wonders fly by, sometimes full of colour and sometimes full of noise and movement.  If we really want children to thrive we need to let their connection to nature nurture them" Claire Warden,2007.

A message to educators ;

Go outside and recognise the learning potential of nature - come snow, wind, north winds, rain, heat or  perfect sunny days.... Consult with children in order to make connections for children between them and their natural environment relevant, motivating and inspiring ..include families so the learning is transferrable, deeper and continuos. 

1 more day - Assessment/planning and accountability.

Angela