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.
The landscape is white with snow. The branches of the fir and pine trees are draped in a beautiful snowy blanket. It’s time to bundle up in warm layers and head out to find joy in the creation of snow angels, sculpting of snow beings, discovery of tracks, ice skating, tobogganing, and construction of snow forts!
THE FOREST IN WINTER
Excerpt from The Children’s Forest
In the winter some things are revealed and others are hidden. Beneath our feet, hibernating animals sleep in their burrows. Trees and plants are storing their energy in their roots, deep in the earth. Above our heads, last year’s birds nests and squirrels’ drays are revealed, and on the ground, tracks are seen more clearly in the bare earth.
Jack Frost visits the land and everything magically transforms, sparkling in the winter sunshine. When snow covers the earth with its breathtaking beauty, there is a deep silence.
(…) Beneath your feet, under the earth, seeds lie dreaming, the spark of life sleeping within.
SEASONAL POEMS:
‘King Winter’ needle felted figure created by Gus & Been.
KING WINTER
King Winter is now in the land.
He reigns with cold and freezing hand.
He makes Jack Frost touch nose and toe,
And brings us bright and shiny snow
~ Traditional Waldorf Poem
SEASONAL SONGS:
LITTLE LIGHT SNOWFLAKES
Little light snowflakes whirl around
Little light snowflakes fall on the ground
Fall on the tree, fall on me
Make the earth white, make the earth bright
Pull on your mittens, button up your coats,
Tie a scarf snuggly around your throat
Pull on your boots and tighten the straps
Tie on snuggly your warm winter hat
Open the door and out we go
Into the soft and feathery snow
Little light snowflakes whirl around
Little light snowflakes fall on the ground.
THE PINE TREE SONG
O Pine Tree standing tall,
from the hills I hear your call
arising clear and strong
in my heart I hear your song.
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:
Snow Tales: Winter Tracking
Winter is a wonderful time to study animal tracks. Tracks are like stories recorded on the landscape. With a bit of patience and practice, you can learn to read these fascinating tales!
When you come across some tracks in the snow, ask yourself:
Can you figure out which way the animal was going?
Was it walking or running?
Do the tracks disappear somewhere (at a tree or under the snow)?
Can you find any evidence that the animal was eating?
Who do you think made these tracks?
Table from The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
FEED THE BIRDS
Winter is a challenging time for many animals. Give the birds a helping hand by making a feeder or two for your backyard or local green space. Check out these links for some inspiration.
https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/easy-to-make-bird-feeders/
Excerpt from I Love Dirt by Jennifer Ward
If there is enough snow on the ground, build a snowman feeder for the birds. Sculpt a snowman. Place a branch on each side of the snowman for arms, as you normally would. Dangle treats from the branches, such as peanut butter-covered pinecones dipped in birdseed. Plant a clay water dish on top of your snowman’s head and fill it with birdseed, nuts, and dried fruits and berries. Before placing a carrot nose in your snowman’s face, attach orange slices along it like a shish kebab. Use pine boughs or dried branches as the hair, sticking them on each side of the snowman’s head, so birds will have a place to perch while awaiting their turn to dine.
It won’t be long before your snowman becomes a very popular person!
FLUFFY FLAKES
There is something so magical about watching snowflakes fall. Examine the wonder and art of nature in the form of snowflakes. Wear dark clothing or bring an extra piece of dark cloth outside with you in order to get a good look at the formation of the snowflakes.
The chillier the weather, the better the chance to catch and observe individual flakes. The ice crystals are six-sided with intricate branches and designs. It is said that no two snowflakes are identical in spite of sharing the same symmetry.
SEASONAL STORY
Teacher Sabrina reading the story The Gift of Fire from The Children’s Forest.
SEASONAL RECIPE
There is nothing better than a warm drink after being out in the cold!
MULLED APPLE JUICE
MATERIALS:
Apple juice
Cinnamon stick
2 cloves
1 orange
2 star anise (optional)
washed and unpeeled ginger root (optional)
Sharp knife
Saucepan
Cups
INSTRUCTIONS:
Wash the orange and cut in two.
Pour the apple juice into the saucepan and add cinnamon, cloves, star anise and ginger (if using).
Squeeze the juice from the oranges into the saucepan and add half of the peel.
Bring the mulled apple juice to a boil and then remove it from heat.
Leave it to cool to drinking temperature and allow the spices to infuse.
Serve!
ART
PAPER SNOWFLAKES
This is a fun activity with lovely results. Children love to make these paper snowflakes.
In our kindergarten class, the teachers cut out the initial shape and fold the paper so that when it is cut the paper snowflakes will have six sides (like a real snowflake). Some children are able to do the folds once they have been shown how.
Once the paper is folded correctly, the children cut into the folded paper to create the design.
Feeling ambitious? Try out the templates above.
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!