Background information

Content information about nature:

While it’s easy to appreciate nature by looking at a photograph of some beautiful scenery, for many of us, we need to see, feel, touch and hear nature to really experience it. Unfortunately, living in cities, towns, and suburbs means that nature can feel a long way from the hustle and bustle of city living.

But take some time to sit quietly in even the busiest of cities and you’ll probably start to see and hear nature all around you. It might just be the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, the buzz of a fly and the coo-coo of a pigeon, the waddle of a beetle, but these are still elements of nature. And chances are that in your yard you’ll find many, many more parts of nature than you might have thought.

Spending time in nature – even just outside in the yard – is critical for the healthy development of all children. Being and playing outside provides children with opportunities to engage with their environment and to understand that they are part of nature, not separate or outside of it. They will appreciate that the decisions they make impact on things around them, including animals, plants and the natural systems that support us. Children will learn that what they do does make a difference.

Content information about sustainability and creativity:

Sustainability describes the ability to keep going at the same rate and in the same (or better) condition as before. In order for our world to be able to sustain us, as well as the generations to come, we need to change. It’s time to think differently - and more creatively - about sustainability and the future of our planet.

Creativity and approaching challenges in a creative way has traditionally been seen as a natural gift, but in fact it can be grown just like a muscle. Creativity is like any other skill. It can be learned and developed – especially in the classroom. It’s a crucial skill for everybody to practice and ultimately, master.

Our environment provides a wealth of opportunities for children to explore and develop creativity. Nature itself stimulates our senses and encourages imagination and inspiration. Animals and plants excite and amaze us. The seasons offer different palettes and materials to work with at different times of the year. Natural phenomena such as rainbows and thunderstorms incite wonder and awe.

Exploring key themes around sustainability through creativity is key to engaging children's interest in these important – and often very serious – issues. And it is proven that children who are connected to their world and their environment are more likely to take action to care for it later in life.

Faber-Castell have long understood the importance of creativity to all people, especially to young people. They are also continuously searching for environmentally friendly processes and materials in support of their creative goals. For more information about Faber-Castell, click here.

Teaching children about the natural world should be treated as one of the most important events in their lives.
Thomas berry

Definitions:

Nature: Everything that exists in the world that has not been introduced by people, including plants, animals, landscapes and weather.
Biodiversity: The diversity of all living things that form the web of life.
Ecosystems: How living things interact with each other.

New words for children to learn:

Nature
Environment

Ages 0 – 2

Preparation:

Collect a range of materials that resemble different parts of nature, for example:

Animals – Feathers, shells, fur or wool, leather, scales etc.
Plants – Dry and green leaves or grass, seeds and seed pods (place any small items in tubs with sealed lids), bark, sticks etc.
Water – Tubs of water that children can play with and/or spray bottle.
Air – Paper fan for creating wind.
Soil – Sand, dirt, mud and or clay.

Begin the session by arranging the materials in the yard and inviting children to handle the objects. Consider working with children to sort the materials based on:

How they feel
Their weight
Their colour
Their size (biggest to smallest)
What part of nature do they belong to (plant, animal, soil etc)

Older children can then use some of these materials to create an artwork:

Paint the objects
Use the objects in a picture/collage
Use the objects as paintbrushes
Trace around the objects
Do paper rubbings of the objects

Provocations

I wonder what this is?
I wonder what it feels, smells, sounds and looks like?
I wonder if we can find something like this in our yard?
I wonder which ones are heavy and which ones are light?
I wonder what other things from nature we can find in our yard?

Possible lines of development

Plant patterns, shapes and names
Colours in nature
Sounds in nature
Draw in the dirt, sand, on the path using water or mud
Make patterns using different materials or natural loose parts

Ages 3 – 5

Begin by inviting children to think about what nature is and where we can find out. Encourage children to think of nature as living things: plants, animals, fungi, minibeasts – and the things that are needed to support those living things, such as water, sunshine, soil and air.

In addition, lead children to the idea that nature isn’t just something that is found in the wild. You don’t have to travel a long way to find nature; instead, you can find nature in your yard, and maybe even inside your building if you have plants inside, or even some flies or other minibeasts in your room.

Now explain to children that you be looking at the ABC of nature in your yard or service, and either creating a gallery of work or creating a book. For each letter of the alphabet, children can create an artwork about nature in their yard and include a brief description of where this thing was seen or found. For example:

A - Ant collecting food on the path to the shed
B - Blue flowers from the bush by the tank
C - Cold wind blowing leaves around the yard
D - Water Dripping from the big trees in the rain
E - Strawberries that have been Eaten by something!
F - Noisy Fly buzzing around the window in our room
G - Etc...

You could create a class book or individual books for each child. Consider scanning or taking photos of any work that can’t be easily included in the book.

To extend this activity you could talk to children about what things from nature you didn't find in your yard, and how you could encourage these things to your yard.

For example, could you plant a butterfly garden or install a bird bath?

Provocations

I wonder what nature is?
I wonder what nature looks, feels, smells, sounds and tastes like?
I wonder where we can find nature?
I wonder if we have any nature in our yard?
I wonder if we have any nature in our room?
I wonder how we can look after nature?
I wonder why we should look after nature?

Possible lines of development

Notice if the nature in your yard changes throughout the year.
Use the parts of nature you found to create and illustrate a story.
Investigate what wildlife lives in your yard (what evidence can you find – nests, tracks, scat (poo), feathers, etc.)
‘We are a forest’ role play: ask children to role-play the different elements of the forest, including the plants, animals, water and wind.
Plant patterns, shapes and names.
Colours in nature.
Sounds in nature.

Evaluation

Complete an analysis of learning listing evidence about:

Belonging	Finding something of interest
Communication	Expressing an idea or feeling
Exploration	Engaging with a challenge and persisting when difficulties arise
Wellbeing	Being involved

Embedding into daily practice

Work with children to complete a sustainability audit of your service: Sustainability Audit – Early Learning.
Create a nature watch poster/tally for your service where all staff and children can record the nature they have seen in your yard. Keep a tally for as long as you can and work with children to identify when different animals appear or different plants flower or fruit throughout the year, using the tally as an ongoing stimulus for discussions around the seasons.
Hold outdoor art sessions at your service once a week or month and invite all children to join in and share their work with children of all age groups.
Provide families with tips or suggestions on ways to incorporate sustainability and creativity at home.

Creative Sustainability - ABC Nature Study

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