David Sobel, a prominent voice promoting nature education in the U.S., describes 4 components to holistic education: "head, heart, hands, and holism”. We know that the very nature of being outdoors, in community, with young and curious brains leads to holistic learning. but we also know that by reflecting intentionally with this framework, our Educators can translate their time with the children into a meaningful format for families to understand what holistic education looks like in the forest.

Head 

This week the children expanded upon their curiosity about insects and amphibians! The children looked at a lot of spiders, found cicadas, Naia found a very magical looking cicada wing, we discovered small frogs DAILY, William identified Joro spiders for the whole group, and we found crickets and grasshoppers live in the grass! We also made transparent with the children our decision to move to a new play site to avoid needle ants. Kylie brought butterfly wings to invite children to pretend to be butterflies. The children showed how they might collect nectar and spread pollen. Kylie also brought a terrarium on Friday and the children took a closer look at American Toads. Nat finds and catches them with great ease and great vigor :)

One of the most powerful moments of planning and effort that Sarah saw this week happened on Tuesday when a group of 5 children decided to try to dig up a rock that was peeking out of the dirt. They invited others to join them, made a plan, talked about whether it would be ok for the forest, and then worked for approximately 15 minutes straight digging with sticks to remove a rock buried in the dirt! It’s an honor to hold the space needed for them to create their own plans for the day.

Heart 

The most heart warming part of our first full week was to watch the children deepen their care of one another. If someone gets hurt there are always at least two or three other children who flock over to check on them and offer words of encouragement! As they become more comfortable being separated from their families for the half-day program, it seems that the familial relationships between children grows. Just like in any relationship, when ruptures happen we know it’s important to facilitate repair. Rather than requiring children to say “sorry” to one another, we typically facilitate conversation about feelings and specific requests for how to make things better and move forward!

 Hands 

The children’s love playing in the sand at our new site! The mud kitchen tools have become sand kitchen tools as well. They have been making ice cream, making birthday cakes for each other and delivering them, with song! They’ve been leaping across the “ravine” on the site too, strengthening their planning skills and their muscles. Lastly, the children have contributed real help to the arduous task of getting all supplies back to the pavilion at the end of the day! They are invited to carry their own backpack for that final hike before lunch, and many proudly accept the duty.

Holism (spiritual/.ecological/interdependence)

We see so much deepening compassion for each other and for our special piece of land. We have begun to incorporate these values into our morning circle by singing a traditional Waldorf morning song, greeting all the creatures and features of the land. We are part of nature, not just visitors. Learn the song here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfSmzx0LG8M