Ideally, your children will participate in the daily life of your family, supported by the rhythms and activities sent by the teachers. In the Getting Started post we suggested a daily rhythm similar to the structure of our day in Nature Kindergarten. We encourage each family to use this material in the way that works best for them. We’re here to support you!
If you are looking for resources, songs and poems that have been shared previously on the blog, you can use the search tool on this page.
Celebrate Earth Day with us on April 22! In preparing these resources I have been thinking a lot about reciprocity. Mother Nature provides so much for all of the beings on earth. We benefit daily from the air, water, plants, animals, and minerals all around us. How can we give back? How can we show gratitude for all that we receive? In this post, I will share some ideas for activities that you may want to do with your family as a way of ‘giving back’ and expressing gratitude for all of Nature’s gifts. Maybe you have some traditions that you do already to show gratitude. I invite you to share your ideas with us in the comments section at the bottom of this post or in our Nature (home)School Support private Facebook group.
We will also be exploring some of Mother Nature’s seasonal ‘gifts’ that can be wildcrafted at this time of year.
SEASONAL POEM:
Through all the frozen winter
My nose has grown most lonely
For lovely, lovely, colored smells
That come in springtime only.
The purple smell of lilacs,
The yellow smell that blows
Across the air of meadows
Where bright forsythia grows.
The tall pink smell of peach trees,
The low white smell of clover,
And everywhere the great green smell
Of grass the whole world over.
~ Kathryn Worth
SEASONAL STORY:
GIVING
In Nature School every day is Earth Day! Our aim is to foster rich and ongoing connection with the natural world. In doing so, we hope to sew the seeds of love and care for the environment that will grow with our students into their adult lives. Consider how you and your children can engage with the natural world in a meaningful, personal way this Earth Day.
First, I would like to share this prayer to acknowledge one of the first peoples who tend and care for the land where I now live and work. Thank you to the First People website for sharing this prayer.
A HAUDENOSAUNEE "THANKSGIVING PRAYER”
Except for the words "Greetings to the Natural World," the words in bold are not meant to be said.
Thanksgiving Address
GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!
The People
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.
Now our minds are one.
The Earth Mother
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Waters
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.
Now our minds are one.
The Fish
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Plants
Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.
The Food Plants
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Medicine Herbs
Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.
The Animals
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.
The Trees
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.
The Birds
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.
The Four Winds
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.
Now our minds are one.
The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.
The Sun
We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.
Grandmother Moon
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.
The Stars
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.
Now our minds are one.
The Enlightened Teachers
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.
The Creator
Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.
Closing Words
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
Now our minds are one.
THIS EARTH DAY CONSIDER…
A neighbourhood park or trail clean-up: grab a garbage bag and some gloves and head out in your neighbourhood to pick up litter. To make this activity more eco-friendly, you might consider bringing a box or a bin instead of a plastic bag to collect the trash in. When you get home you can sort the items into ‘garbage’ and ‘recycling’.
A backyard naturalization project: develop a plan to transform a corner of your backyard into a natural habitat with native trees, flowers and pathways.
Collect items from home for a (post social distancing) yard sale fundraiser: kids can sell their old toys, video games and books. The money raised could then by donated to a conservation organization.
Birdhouses and feeders: using a plan for birds that are common in your area, cut the parts of a birdhouse. Children can help to nail the boxes together.
RECEIVING
SPRING WILDCRAFTING
Balm of Gilead: The “Do-It-All” Poplar Salve
As I write this, Jack Frost has made another return today bringing snow and cold winds. When the sun comes out, I can immediately feel my spirit lift with the promise of warmer temperatures soon!
I shared this project on social media last week: How to make Balm of Gilead (a salve made from poplar or cottonwood buds). You will find the full instructions here. In the dark days of winter, rub this balm on your hands and inhale the scent of spring!
This wonder oil soothes skin irritations such as eczema, cuts, rashes, burns, psoriasis, insect bites and stings, sunburn, athlete's foot, dry and scaly skin, chapped hands or cheeks, and prevents or heals diaper rash.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic nature, poplar salve helps to relieve the aches and pains of sore muscles, bruises, and arthritis.
It's also a mild sedative. Many have found a better night's sleep after rubbing a bit of balm under their nose at bedtime.
Try massaging a bit on your chest or placing a dab around your nose if you are suffering from a cold and have blown your nose one too many times.
The [poplar] buds can be steeped as a tea for respiratory congestion. If you find yourself out in the wilderness, terribly hungry, and without provisions, try munching on a [poplar] catkin. They are high in vitamin C and can be eaten raw or added to soups and stews.
If anything, the smell of the oil reminds of spring, brings a smile, and makes for a wonderful “this will make it all better” boo-boo balm!”
*People with aspirin sensitivities or tree allergies may not want to use this salve.
You can find the original post on the Traditional Cooking School website and here are some additional tips on identifying poplar trees and harvesting.
How to harvest:
Be mindful of how much you gather if you pick from live trees. As with any harvesting in the wild, pick some, but leave more. Gather from many trees, not just one. Do not remove the terminal bud on a branch.
Gathering poplar buds on a cooler day will make things much less sticky.
Balm of Gilead
1 part poplar buds
2 parts extra virgin olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill a glass jar half full with poplar buds.
Pour olive oil over the buds and to within 1” of the top of the jar.
Cover with a napkin or coffee filter and secure with a rubber band.
Allow to sit and steep for 6 weeks or more.
Stir or shake the jar every few days for the first few weeks.
Use as an oil or make into a balm.
To use as an oil, decant through a cheesecloth and put oil into a bottle or jar.
Poplar Salve
1 oz beeswax (2 tbsp)
1 cup infused oil
¼ tsp vitamin E oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
Slowly melt the beeswax in a pot.
Add infused oil and stir together until blended.
Stir in vitamin E.
Pour into a clean glass jar or tin and let cool.
Dandelion Drop Scones
Excerpt from The Children’s Forest written by Dawn Casey, Anna Richardson and Helen d’Ascoli:
Character
I am Dandelion, bright flower of Brigit.
I always grow in full sun, bringing hope in springtime and cheering up gardens and pathways.
The place where I grow is said to be blessed by the light.
My name comes from the French ‘dent de lion’, meaning ‘tooth of the lion’, because my leaves have jagged toothy edges.
I offer both food and medicine. My leaves, roots and flowers are all good to eat and can be taken as a tea.
Brew my yellow petals in hot water and drink a cup of sunshine. My bitter taste is cleansing for your body and is refreshing in today’s sweet and salty world.
My roots can be roasted to make dandelion coffee.
My petals have the mildest flavour; you can eat them raw, straight from the flower.
Gift
I help your body to clear away the heavy foods and moods of winter, bringing cheering sunshine into your being.
DANDELION SONG
Dandelion yellow as gold,
What do you do all day?
I just wait here in the tall green grass til the children come and play.
And dandelion yellow as gold,
What do you do all night?
I just wait here til the dew falls down and my hair grows long and white.
And what do you do when your hair turns white and the children come to play?
They take me up in their tiny hands and they blow my hair away.
How to harvest:
Collect dandelion flowers in the sunshine, as they close up on rainy days and at night.
YOU WILL NEED:
Dandelion petals from 15-20 flowers (use only the golden petals, as the stem and sepals are bitter)
125g (41/2 oz) self-raising flour
Approximately 175ml (6floz) milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil
Honey and butter to serve (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Mix flour and dandelion petals in a jug or bowl. Then make a well in the centre and crack in the egg. Pour in a splash of milk and mis to form a smooth paste. Add milk steadily until the mixture reaches the consistency of thick cream.
Heat the frying pan and add a spoonful of coconut oil or butter. Carefully pour in 4-6 separate spoonfuls of mixture, depending on the size of your pan. After a few minutes turn the scones with a spatula.
Your dandelion scones are ready when both sides are golden brown.
Serve with butter and honey.
*NB: For a wheat-free, vegan alternative, omit the egg and use buckwheat mixed with water.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ”
MORE RESOURCES
This is a fantastic website that has inspired me for many years. It has lots of wonderful resources and suggestions for Waldorf-Inspired activities to do with your children. Visit Meagan Rose Wilson.
CONNECT WITH COMMUNITY
You have the opportunity to connect with other parents and families on the Nature (home)School journey through a private Facebook group. The digital forum is a place where you can post photos of the activities that you get up to with your children, share stories or inspirations from your outdoor adventures, and connect with other families. Please follow the link to connect with other families in the online community or from Facebook - search: Nature (home)School Support.
We are a very small Not For Profit School. If you like these resources and find them helpful, please consider making a donation to our Nature Kindergarten program. We appreciate your support!