Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/wonder----nacc-newsletter/5023387/

Observation and Discovery

The reflections shared in this edition broadly reflect the Nature Action Collaborative for ­Children Universal Principle: 

We believe it is important for educators to understand their role as researchers and facilitators who observe children’s interactions with nature and support the emergent curriculum.

Nature has Become Our Lifestyle

Sharon Ward, Dubai

Nurturing nature became a motivating influence in our philosophy following the 2014 World Forum in Puerto Rico. John Rosenow spoke about a “free-range and organic childhood” and his message connected with us like a bolt of lightning. Taking further inspiration from the workshops got us thinking ‘outside the box’ as to how we could support a connection with nature right here in the desert of Dubai! Fortunately, this process was aided by a like-minded team of teachers, and before we knew it our classrooms, outdoor environment, and teaching style and practices had completely transformed.  

Our challenge lies with the hotter months with temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius, so having access to nature leading in and out of the summer months was a priority. We began by bringing nature into the classrooms. We found opportunities for this everywhere with stones, feathers, sticks, flowers, cinnamon bark, pinecones, shells, and even sand (which we have no ...