"This must be like a magic tree!"

This morning was our first Nature Explorers session, and it was definitely magical! But it wasn't the tree... well, maybe a little. The most magical thing to me was the PLAY! It was the children and their amazing brains and creativity! 

Our brief circle time made sure our friends all knew each other, then we were off on our adventure. While searching for the Nature Explorers flag, we found a variety of flowers, a bench, and a picnic table, and we took the time to explore them all. Just kids going at a kids' pace.

Both children and adults soon took notice of a weeping willow nearby, followed by a shout of "I see the flag!" For today's play, I had left a small basket of ribbons near the flag, with the thought that ribbons mimic the flowing branches of the tree. Play with ribbons and branches soon led to a parade, which led to another area of the park to explore! I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. 

​Remember, there is no agenda here. No grown-up is telling these children what to do or how to do it. My job was simply to create the space for play and support what the children were doing. I tied ribbons when asked. I sang a song for a parade. The children created this magic! At the end of our play, my heart was full of happy, and my pockets were filled with flowers!