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.
In Ontario, the May long weekend is traditionally the opening of outdoor gardening season. Gardeners start many seeds inside ahead of time and have laboured to prepare the garden beds to receive the baby plants. Other seeds can be planted straight into the garden once the risk of a visit from Jack Frost has passed. Every day, Father Sun’s presence increases as we make our way towards the Summer Solstice. Even though we may see some more chilly weather, the end of May often feels like the beginning of the growing season. Do you have a garden you are tending? What plants are growing in your garden?
SPRING VERSE
In the spring time garden,
rosy morning glow,
sunshine calling, falling, calling,
flowers awake and grow.
SEASONAL POEMS:
MOTHER EARTH
Mother Earth, Mother Earth
Take the seed and give it birth.
Father Sun, gleam and glow
Until the roots begin to grow.
Sister Rain, Sister Rain
Shed thy tears to swell the grain.
Brother Wind, breathe and blow
Then the blade green will grow.
Earth and Sun and Wind and Rain,
Turn to gold the living grain.
~ Traditional Waldorf Poem
SEASONAL SONG:
WHITE CORAL BELLS
White coral bells upon a slender stalk
Lily of the valley deck my garden walk
Oh, don't you wish that you could hear them ring
That will only happen when the fairies sing
MORNING ADVENTURE & CRAFTS
Pack your backpack with a snack, water, and extra clothes and get ready to hit the trail (or your backyard!).
Here are some ideas that you might want to try out this week:
DIGGING DIRT
Excerpt from I Love Dirt written by Jennifer Ward.
Time to get dirty! Dirt can be the most delightful play item in nature. (…)
In a patch of dirt, provide your child with small shovels, cups, and old spoons. Objects in nature work well for dirt play too - sticks, stones, leaves, nuts, flower petals, and bark. What can you build with dirt? Mountains? Volcanoes? Walls? Castles? Animal shapes?
What can you channel when you tunnel with dirt? Scoop away earth and add water to the mix to create moats, miniponds, and a winding river. Watch how the water reacts with your creations. Pour water into a channel or area you’ve dug away and watch it pool. Does the water remain stationary? Does it absorb? Does it flow from one area to another?
More things to try:
Shape the mud into balls, bowls, cups.
Press objects such as leaves or twigs into the mud.
Make tracks in the mud with your feet.
MAKE A WAND
It’s no secret that a stick is one of the best toys out there! Find a stick that you like and dress it up a bit and it becomes a wand! Perfect for casting spells and making magic.
https://minimadthings.com/blogs/news/10-nature-crafts
CREATE A SCULPTURE
While on your morning adventure, gather rocks of different sizes. Choose an inspiring place to build your sculpture (near a special tree or favourite spot). Can you stack the rocks so that they stay in place?
BUILD A BUG HOTEL
Bugs are endlessly interesting to watch. Build a bug hotel and invite the crawly guests in to stay awhile. Placing an insect hotel in the garden increases the chances that beneficial insects will visit your garden. Stimulate biodiversity and provide an opportunity for your children to see how balanced ecosystems work.
https://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/buuild-a-backyard-bug-hotel
SEASONAL STORY
This week’s story is Smudge: The little lost lamb story written by James Herriot.
SEASONAL RECIPE
As spring unfolds, I have been enjoying discovering new things to make with the seasonal plants that are popping up. I have not yet tried either of the recipes below - but will be once a few more of our violets bloom. I invite you to try them out too!
**Important disclaimer: Never eat anything from the wild without first consulting an expert! Please forage responsibly. Educate yourself, and have fun.
WILD VIOLET SYRUP
https://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.com/2011/05/11/wild-violets-recipes/
https://www.thespruceeats.com/violet-flower-syrup-recipe-1327872
Please note: wild violets are edible whereas african violets are NOT EDIBLE.
PROJECT
GARDEN MARKERS
Materials:
loppers
sharp knife (a fixed blade is preferable to a folding one)
Permanent marker
sticks
sandpaper (optional)
Instructions:
Use the loppers to cut longer sticks into 15 cm pieces.
Whittle one end of each stick into a point (this will be the bottom).
Using the knife, peel away a strip of bark near the top of the stick. Alternatively, you can use sandpaper to remove some of the bark.
Write the plant name on the stick in the bare space.
Push the garden marker into the soil to mark the location of your seeds / plants.
*With some adult help, even young children can learn how to use tools properly. You know your child best and will know how much support to offer them.
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!