This month, the children in Toddler 1 at RisingOaks Early Learning | St. Patrick have been taking advantage of the warmer weather by exploring our natural playground and the world around us in honour of National Indigenous History Month. As part of our learning, we have been reflecting on the importance of developing respectful relationships with the land and recognizing the gifts that nature provides.
As the children began noticing the overgrown grass on our playground, Arcely invited them to help trim it using child-safe scissors. The children eagerly cut the grass and collected it into a bowl, later using it as a tool for painting. They selected their paint colours and experimented with their grass brushes, creating interesting patterns and textures through their artwork.
During another outdoor exploration, Eria attempted to make sand oobleck for the children to investigate. However, the experience quickly evolved into something entirely different. As the children added more water, sand, wood chips, and natural materials they discovered around the playground—including leaves, grass, acorn tops, what appeared to be small apples, and even serviceberries from our bushes—they began creating their own “nature soup.”
As the experience continued, the addition of mud and grass inspired the children to begin making mud pies. This open-ended sensory experience engaged them in a variety of ways and sparked creativity as they adapted their ideas and followed their interests. What began as one invitation transformed into something entirely new as the children experimented with different materials and discovered new possibilities.
As our exploration of nature continued, we collected a variety of natural materials, including flowers, grass, and leaves, for the children to investigate further. Eria then attached a sheet of Mactac to the outdoor mirror and invited the children to create a collaborative nature collage using the materials we had gathered.
As the Mactac was revealed, the children immediately explored its sticky texture by pressing their fingers onto the surface and pulling them away. Soon, their attention shifted to the natural materials. They demonstrated creativity and autonomy as they made decisions about which items to use and where to place them. Throughout the experience, the children showed curiosity and appreciation for the natural materials, taking time to closely observe their colours, textures, shapes, and scents.
Cassidy stuck out her tongue in concentration as she carefully placed leaves onto the collage. Epiphany spent time sorting through the flowers, lifting them to her nose to smell them before offering them to Eria to do the same. Several children demonstrated confidence and pride in their work as they contributed to the collage. After thoughtfully placing her leaves, Rahiya confidently exclaimed, “There we go!” Similarly, Andi proudly shared, “I sticked it!” after pressing a leaf onto the Mactac.
As the collage became fuller, the children continued exploring the properties of the Mactac. They noticed that leaves and flowers would stick to the adhesive surface but not to one another. When materials did not stay in place, the children demonstrated problem-solving skills and persistence by finding alternative locations where the materials would adhere successfully.
Experiences such as this help children develop a sense of connection to the land by encouraging them to slow down, observe, and appreciate the natural world around them. Through hands-on exploration, the children are learning that nature is something to be respected, cared for, and enjoyed. As we recognize National Indigenous History Month, the children are given opportunities to engage in land-based learning experiences that foster curiosity, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility for the environment. By encouraging children to build relationships with and develop respect for the land through exploration and inquiry, we support the development of future environmental stewards who care for and respect the world around them.
