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Nature, Right Outside the Door
December 6, 2022
I am from the power of those who came before, who erase my doubts of my existence, who fuel my resistance, and who guide me in creating gifts of love for the future.
-Theressa Lenear, in Stories of Resistance
-Theressa Lenear, in Stories of Resistance
“From what initially looked like a place lacking in natural wonder and beauty, we discovered that the simple splendor of nature surrounds us if we just stop to take notice…Right outside the door of this typical child care setting, nature was waiting for us with grass, rocks, leaves, pods, and small creatures to attract and hold the children’s and our attention for hours, days, even a lifetime,” writes Deb Curtis in Really Seeing Children.
Curtis describes the results of sharing these simple natural items with toddlers:
After more than an hour, we reluctantly interrupted the children’s exploration for lunch. During our time together, the children:
PS—I missed Deb's lovely reflection on Betty Jones last week, and am sharing it here:
"Betty Jones, more than anyone, impacted the way I see children and their amazing ways. Her playful curiosity and brilliant mind lit up a room and forever changed all she touched. I am deeply grateful to her for the joy I continue to find everyday in my work."
Curtis describes the results of sharing these simple natural items with toddlers:
After more than an hour, we reluctantly interrupted the children’s exploration for lunch. During our time together, the children:
- helped us see nature’s patterns, textures, rhythms, and all the possibilities for engaging our hearts and minds.
- showed us the roots of scientific inquiry.
- taught us how to use our senses to examine and make discoveries, to try out ideas, notice cause-and-effect, and the impact our actions have on the world around us.
- gave us the gift of seeing the joy, mystery, and excitement in the simple beauty of nature.
- reawakened our own sense of wonder and appreciation for our kinship with the remarkable natural world surrounding us.
PS—I missed Deb's lovely reflection on Betty Jones last week, and am sharing it here:
"Betty Jones, more than anyone, impacted the way I see children and their amazing ways. Her playful curiosity and brilliant mind lit up a room and forever changed all she touched. I am deeply grateful to her for the joy I continue to find everyday in my work."
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Comments (5)
Displaying All 5 CommentsEugene, OR, United States
Lois, I've made a note of your suggestions. Watch for them! And never hesitate to send us suggestions for EED - just email [email protected] with 'EED?' at the beginning of the subject line, and your message will get forwarded to me. THANKS!
Edmonds, WA, United States
I am humbled and honored by your words Rebecca. If I have had just a glimmer of influence that Betty Jones had on our profession it would be wonderful. Keep sharing the stories with others about children’s amazing ways.
Empire State College
Castro Valley, CA, United States
I hope we can do more to illuminate professionals like Elizabeth Jones, Vivian Gussin Paley, Magda Gerber, Bev Bos who've passed but still hold important insights into our BEST practices. And let's not forget the people who are still with us; Lillian Katz, Howard Gardner, Carol Gilligan, Curtis & Carter, on and on who our next generation of educarers need to know about.
Eugene, OR, United States
Rebecca, Thanks for sharing so openly! I imagine so many people are in your same shoes! And I think Deb and others have now had the same ripple effect on others. I am also guessing there are people in your life who feel the same impact from you! It's such a joy to watch this transpire across the years and trace the many ways we influence one another and grow together!
Penn State Better Kid Care
United States
I'm embarrassed. I didn't know Betty Jones, but when I read the comment you shared from Deb Curtis, I thought, "Oh my...imagine if Deb Curtis had not learned to see children the way she does, if she didn't have joy in her work and transmit it to so many others!" I am impacted immensely by Deb Curtis' writings as I imagine others are. We are each part of something bigger, something very important. It reminds me to play my part to encourage the people who come along my branch of the tree.
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