Yesterday I had an opportunity to test a new possible offering. At Sudbury Valley Trustees (a regional land trust) Headquarters: Wolbach Farm, in Sudbury MA. I conducted a “Story Walk” for young children and their grownups. I had visited the Lewis Nature Trail a few days ahead and walked slowly, looking all around to identify interesting natural phenomena, like a rotting log cut into several pieces that could have a salamander under it, or a part of the trail with bright yellow ferns on both sides. Those things became a list of “Landmarks” that would lead them to a "special place." When the children arrived I told them a little story: “Today is mouse’s birthday and since he is new to this woods, the other animals are putting on a surprise party for him to show that they want to be friends.” Those animals want the children to help decorate the party place. They have provided a list of Mouse’s favorite things. (which, of course, are things plentiful along the trail) So, along the way the children searched for each landmark and collected Mouse's favorite things. Eventually they got to the "special place" I had set up ahead of time, and eagerly set about decorating it.
I was happy to see how totally involved the children (ages 4-7) were with looking for each landmark, collecting things and then decorating the party place. In fact, the whole thing took almost two hours, a bit longer than I intend, but at then end of it the children still wanted to stay in the woods!
I was happy to see how totally involved the children (ages 4-7) were with looking for each landmark, collecting things and then decorating the party place. In fact, the whole thing took almost two hours, a bit longer than I intend, but at then end of it the children still wanted to stay in the woods!
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