Children need and want to connect to nature

A child in Ms. Kathy’s Primary class decorates a butterfly shape by cutting strips of paper and then gluing them onto the shape.

The young child has a great need to connect with nature. This is especially apparent by the obvious joy she expresses and the calm demeanor she displays whenever she is involved in outdoor activities that allow her to engage all her senses.

A simple walk in the park, listening to the birds sing, admiring a passing cloud in the sky, collecting treasures under rocks or along the seashore, spying a tiny creature crawling among the leaves, or picking a colorful posy for someone dear — all of these seem to call forth a spontaneous sense of peacefulness in the child, which appears to be unique only to this experience in nature.

During the month of April, the children will have various opportunities to have contact with the natural world. Aside from their everyday work and play outdoors, they also have been busy creating a butterfly garden adjacent to their playground.

Activities such as digging, planting, watering, and observing have all been part and parcel of their daily efforts to provide an environment where the butterflies, not only begin to grow, but also continue to flourish throughout the upcoming months.

Many thanks to all of our classroom’s parents for their generous donations of flowers, herbs and other plants to help support our beautiful butterfly garden, and, of course, your child’s love of nature!