Is autumn the most beautiful season for nature education?
Pedagogically this season is as rich as the others. It is a very pleasant time to walk in the great outdoors for those who dare to venture into an environment that is progressively more humid and cooler. In this season, it is particularly pleasant to (re)discover walks in the forest…
Diving into the autumn woods
That’s it! It’s October! The sounds of our footsteps in the forest are less discreet: we stir up the dead leaves as we pass. This noise naturally draws our gaze towards our feet: let's take the time to discover the treasures of the forest: pine cones, acorns, chestnuts, moss, brown, red, orange, yellow leaves, but are the trees already naked?
Let's raise our eyes and observe these partially leafy branches, their colors.
Their colors.
The sunlight passes through this foliage, this wood. These colors associated with the humidity of the wood offer a unique reddish appearance. The treasures of autumn are not only at our feet, they are also in the air.
The autumnal atmosphere is exceptional.
Called by birdsong, we begin to listen to these comforting songs of nature. We can hear other noises in the trees, a squirrel? or a bird? No matter, this surrounding nature soothes us.
At the bend of a path, we can even hear the rush of water which continues to flow tirelessly and animates life all around.
Have you ever experienced these sensations in a wood in autumn? Children, Have! They discover the world through their 8 senses. (Yes, yes, with their 8 senses!) They are therefore particularly receptive to nature education: They love autumn!!
The pedagogy of nature and the 8 senses*
We all know our 5 senses: sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. They are particularly involved in awakening children under 6 to nature.
We also have 3 functional senses: proprioception, the vestibular system and interoception.
Proprioception is a bit like our sixth sense, it is the one that allows us to carry out movements without having to look at what we are doing. Following an injury, rehabilitation often includes proprioception work: the proprioceptors located in the muscles, joints and ligaments learn to relay information so that the body can use the right dose of force and stretching necessary to make a movement. In nature, a child develops his/her proprioceptive system by experiencing varied motor experiences in an environment that is not “standardized” like the interior of a building. Proprioception allows the child to develop his/her coordination: children climb, slide, stretch, pull, push, carry objects of different weights, swing, play freely...
Interoception allows us to feel what is happening inside our body, it represents the connection between body and mind. This sense therefore allows us to better understand our physical and emotional needs and respond to them. Being in nature allows children (and adults) to become aware of their needs and better understand them. It is therefore essential for the well-being of all.
The vestibular system is what gives us balance. Located in our inner ear, these receptors allow us to maintain balance in various situations by giving us information about the position of our head and body in space. To develop their balance, children need a lot of practice performing an action in a controlled manner: climbing, jumping, swinging, running and stopping without losing control.
Concretely, what is nature education?
Nature education necessarily mobilizes the development of the 8 senses through sensory discoveries, the discovery of nature and these cycles, motor games and affordance (upcoming article on the notion of affordance).
Depending on needs, we can focus on one or more senses. Approaches can be modified as needed. It depends on:
- Age of children and their needs: 0 to 12 years
- Where the workshops are held: in the countryside? in a school ? in a garden ? or other closed place?
- Targeted objectives
I offer special fall “nature” workshops for children, do not hesitate to contact me for more information.
*The essential guide to forest school and Nature pedagogy , J. Cree and M. Robb, Routledge edition.
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