16/10/2022
Thoughts too important not to post!
Central Park NYC may have its magnificent trees coloured like jewels in the Autumn fall, and Canada its magnificent maples, but in the heart of many UK cities are parks with their trees changing colour, shedding leaves, and providing a wealth of educational experiences. As I interact with the 3 and 4 year olds who are with us today in Princes Street gardens Edinburgh I wonder once more why outings like this are not a norm? Why children are restricted in time spent outside?
Admittedly the sun is shining making the castle and all around appear a glittering gold colour - and making the visit easier than if it were raining (tho’ clouds, rain and inclement weather offer much experiential learning also).
I observe the little bodies chasing leaves and each other, squealing with delight as a passing dog joins in the fun. I note the stretching, jumping and spinning that is going on and am happily aware of the gross motor skills being developed - storing up muscle development and control which will help writing processes in the future. Another group are whizzing sycamore seeds into the air and counting out the seconds to see whose aeroplane remains airborne the longest. I mentally tick off language and mathematical outcomes and add in the keeping myself safe as we journeyed to this park. Later on, I know we will stop and look at several statues and probably discuss what they are made of and why they are there. We might make statue shapes ourselves and will almost certainly recite a poem or two - inspired by this piece of outdoors on our doorstep. There will be much more of this day to come - and I cannot predict in detail as staff will follow the children’s lead. I can be categoric however at the benefits of the outing - and score it much more highly and healthily than most mundane and constructed activities confined within four walls.
"Question after question crowds out of his/her enquiring mind: how, why, when, what for?" Froebel in Lilley 1967:125
