Discoveries are something we make all the time; whether it is something we see, a feeling we have, a connection we make, a new piece of information or a new theory about something. Hopefully we are all, children and adults alike, perpetually in a state of discovering. It is this sense of freshness, newness and…Continue reading →

We spent a lot of time this week learning about seed saving and the miracle of growing a whole plant from one tiny seed. Through our gardening program, we can teach so many important life lessons: food security and how lucky we are to have food and how to make sure we look after feeding…Continue reading →

One foot in front of the other, whether it be walking along our myriad of pathways or building our relationships or figuring out our systems here at Nature School. Week 2 of a school year can be difficult as the excitement and novelty of Week 1 wear off but the fresh rain on Monday and…Continue reading →

“Ten times a day something happens to me like this– some strengthening throb of amazement-some good sweet empathic ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and the wisest thing I know: that the soul exists and is built entirely out of attentiveness”            (Mary Oliver) Starting a new year…Continue reading →

It is with both a joyful and heavy heart that I write the last blog post for this year. My feelings are deep, rich, and intertwined with moments that will never fade. The children that have been under our care for the past two years are children that will never be forgotten. Along with their…Continue reading →

I guess it is the deep down knowing that time is passing ever so quickly and we only have a short time left in our year together that has made each moment seem all the more precious. I have been, and I see it on the faces of my colleagues, cherishing each moment; the inevitable…Continue reading →

So I promised myself (and my team) I would not write blog this long weekend; really take a break to re-charge. But, I have SO many great photos of our work together this week, it seems like a pity not to share them! So, kind of sneaky, but I will post them now before the…Continue reading →

I love the way the children are being together- they are laughing a lot; they are goofy; they are at times completely and utterly hyper. And, they are also really sensitive, kind, curious, intelligent, creative and exploratory. We are seeing them eager to seek new challenges in all areas They are questioning  ideas and philosophies….Continue reading →

One moment in time together; that’s all we really need to make a day happy and complete. A shared laugh, a hug after a tumble, a shared interest in a buttercup, a planting of a bean, a pretend adventure, an unspoken understanding of an event, a reconciliation after a disagreement, a shared idea– this week,…Continue reading →

When I look through these photos, I am reminded how important it is to offer children a safe place; not just in the physical world but in the spiritual and emotional sense. It is our job to support children to explore their ideas, thoughts, world views, concerns and wonderings. I think we do a pretty good…Continue reading →

We were immersed in soil this week and wow, did it feel great! Children and adults alike were happy as they dug, tilled, hoed, turned, explored, shovelled, laid upon, smelled, touched, and scooped soil! The air has changed and with it the delights of spring our upon us. Children are noticing the changes all by…Continue reading →

It was a short week for me at Nature School as I attended a two day institute titled “Making Authentic Inquiry Work.”, presented by Natural Curiosity and Learning for a Sustainable Future. As always with professional development, my mind is now in a state of disarray as I sort through the huge amount of ideas and…Continue reading →

Refreshed; rejuvenated; invigorated; restored; we all had a needed and healthy break from school but now we are more than ready to be back. It was a splendid week with sun shining on us as we all got back into the groove of living and learning together. ‘Till the next post, Emily

It was quite the rainy week here at the farm but we all just sort of did our thing and managed through the downpours. It really is amazing to watch these children march along without complaint; aside from a few “My hands are getting cold.”, we really didn’t hear much resistance. How wonderful to be…Continue reading →

Last weekend, after an inspiring workshop, I went into the Cottage and re-configured our loose parts station. We were feeling it was either being under utilized or not used appropriately in our larger room. It is now in the Studio with the hope that working in a more removed space will allow for increased concentration, ingenuity…Continue reading →