Nature’s Resources
Art and craft supplies don’t all have to come from a store. Embrace the natural world around you and use nature’s resources.
When discovering science and nature in informal, hands-on approach with familiar environments, it’s the best ways to engage and inspire children in a sense of wonder.
Some of the best crafting materials are just outside your door. Natural art and craft materials such as;
- flowers;
- leaves;
- twigs;
- bark;
- seed pods; and
- stones.
We choose a different theme every month in our Bush Kindy program, and explore every aspect of that natural material. The children love the excitement of exploration and then creating from their gatherings.
9 Reasons To Embrace Natural Materials
1. Natural materials are free! – Free is always good, not to mention readily available. Which means you don’t need to pre-plan, take a trip to the shops or store them.
2. Venture outside– Feeling cooped up? Step outside and see if you can find anything. A change of scenery can turn a difficult situation around.
3. Notice small details– When out gathering, take notice of the finer details, like the colour of the flowers, the shape of the leaves and the texture of stones.
4. Develop a botanical vocabulary– Teach your children the names of the flowers and plants at your doorstep. Gradually build their knowledge and botanical vocabulary.
5. Get to know your neighbours– People love seeing kids fascinated with nature. Ask politely about your neighbour’s garden, and before you know it, you’ve got a new friend.
6. Teach kid’s respect– Set some ground rules. Gather only things that won’t bother people and won’t harm the environment, such as fallen leaves, fallen flowers, twigs etc from the footpath. If we pick flowers or leaves, we only pick from trees that have an abundance of them.
7. Learn about nature– Point out that some plants flower at different times of the year. Discuss the role of bees. Gather seed pods and imagine the size of the tree it might grow into. Talk about what plants eat, and what animals eats plants. And did you see that tiny lizard? I wonder where he’s going….
8: It’s good for the environment– If your kids are creating artwork using natural (or recycled) materials, then you might be less inclined to buy art supplies or even toys. “Less is more”, so they say!
9. Inspire creativity– Kids love to craft with materials they have gathered themselves. And you won’t have a store-bought craft kit with instructions to follow, so they will have to come up with some ideas themselves.
This Months Theme
This months Bush Kindy theme is flowers and leaves.
We gathered some flowers and leaves and we then used these to make a nature mandala. All the children worked together to achieve this.
We recycled the flowers and leaves we used for the mandala. Pressing the flowers and leaves between two papers and into a heavy book to dry out.
Once dry, we used it on paper that we made ourselves, to create a beautiful picture.
Other great natural resources are;
- Seashells
- Rocks
- Seeds
- Pinecones
- Feathers
- Fruit and vegies
Investigating And Exploring
Science and Nature enables children to learn about facts and the world around them. Through firsthand experience science and nature provides children to engage through investigating and exploring, which will support learning and develop their ideas.
Science and Nature supports children to develop observations and creativity and develop a sense of being. Its also supports children to develop their natural curiosity and provide them with an opportunity to explore their curiosity and theories. Listed below are some suggested learning objectives that support a child’s overall development.
- Children establish self-confidence and confidence in their environment
- Gain necessary firsthand and hands on experiences
- Develop basic concepts
Through positive experiences in science and nature, children will develop their love of both and foundation for the development of responsible environmental behaviour and a greater appreciation and understanding of the world around them.
Home Play
Your mission, if you choose to accept!…….
- Gather some natural resources with your child, from your environment; then
- Create a nature piece; and
- Bring them into kindy.
We would love to see them and integrate them with their natural art work here at kindy.
That’s all from Miss Hannelie, Miss Sky and the Snakes (Jomgwong) children.
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