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.
Every spring there is a day when suddenly the world looks very green again. The slightly green halo of the trees is transformed into pure green wherever you look. The day may be slightly sooner or later than it was last year. It is the day the trees are telling us: summer really is on it’s way! Has that day happened where you live?
Serviceberry
THE SERVICEBERRY
Primary Ecosystem Roles:
In the spring, Amelanchier [Serviceberry] blossoms entice beneficial insects, such as bees and butterflies, which provide that ever necessary service of pollination. As they are early bloomers, they are a very important source of food for these emerging insects.
Find out more about this early blooming plant on the Canadian Wildlife Federation site.
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:
A BRANCH OF SNOWY MAY
Here’s a branch of snowy May,
A branch the fairies gave me.
Would you like to come and dance today
With the branch the fairies gave me?
Dance away, dance away,
Holding high the branch of May.
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:
MUD BRICKS
Hands-on learning inspired by Ancient Egypt. What can you build with your mud bricks?
https://www.tinasdynamichomeschoolplus.com/mud-bricks-for-kids/
GIANT BUBBLES
This is a great activity to do on one of these hot days. You’ll want to have some water nearby to wash off sticky hands!
https://happyhooligans.ca/homemade-giant-bubbles/
STICK BOATS
This is a rain or shine activity. All you really need is some water. This could be a stream, creek, puddle, or kiddie pool.
Find nature materials that float - and voilà! you have a boat.
If you want to take this activity a step further, you can make a raft or boat with sticks. Here’s how:
http://www.beafunmum.com/2015/03/stick-raft-boats/
https://www.makeandtakes.com/summer-camp-for-kids-sailing-a-stick-raft
CREATE AN OBSTACLE COURSE
Whether you are in your own backyard or on a trail this is a wonderful way to use some of that BIG energy. This activity is great for building gross-motor skills too!
Look around. What can you climb over? Crawl under? Balance on? Jump on / off?
Consider what other movements you could do.
Finally, figure out the route and try it out!
COLLECT AS MANY DANDELION FLOWERS AS YOU CAN!
Notice where the dandelions are growing. Are there more in a particular place? Gather as many as you can because you are going to need a LOT of them for this week’s recipe!
SEASONAL STORY
Teacher Jessica tells the story of William and Sarah and a visit to Grandmother’s.
SEASONAL RECIPE
This sunny little plant is absolutely everywhere these days! Why not be like the bee and make sweet Dandelion syrup from its petals?
**Important disclaimer: Never eat anything from the wild without first consulting an expert! Please forage responsibly. Educate yourself, and have fun.
DANDELION SYRUP
ART
NATURE SMASH ART
This is a fun and satisfying art experience to try with children now that we can find a larger variety of colourful flowers in our gardens and parks.
Use the morning adventure to hunt for plants of different colours (dark green / light green works too). Children will begin to notice that when they look closely, they can find quite a few different colours!
Plants found in my neighbourhood on May 24th, 2020.
Materials:
paper (thicker paper such as watercolour paper will work better)
a hand-sized rock, mallet or hammer
a collection of different coloured plant materials
water in a spray bottle
Instructions:
Spritz the paper with water to make it damp (this will help the colours transfer out of the plant material onto the paper).
Place the plant material on top of the paper. You can do one at a time or many.
Use the rock, mallet or hammer to smash the plant material onto the paper.
Check out the results. Repeat!
Process art!
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!