LEARNING PATHWAY CREATED BY THE LEARNING COMMUNITY
Nature bathing For babies
Authors: Dr G. Scally, T. McLaughlin, O. O’Brien, P. Kelly, A. O’Dowd, S. MC Caffery, E. Scanlon, A. Callaghan
Overall aims:
- To help children under three commune with nature
- To support children under three understand their relationship with nature
- Inspire interest in the natural world and the relationships within the ecosystem
- Enrich ecological knowledge and emerging language
- Supporting children under three in developing resilience with the outdoors
Intended learning outcomes:
After this learning path children will
- Feel more at ease in nature
- Be able to spend long periods of time outside
- Be able to identify different elements
- Be more patient
- Be more independent
- Have a relationship with the natural world that can potentially help them develop a position on sustainability
Evaluation:
Activate prior knowledge by asking open ended questions, songs, and stories. Knowledge, abilities and attitudes will be assessed through observations that take place naturally during documented attuned interactions. Analyze documentation.
Pathway structure
This learning path has 3 stages, helping very young children develop a relationship with the natural world. This learning path is structured to provide opportunities for babies and toddlers to develop an understanding of the soil, the air, the water and the changing seasons through hands on learning. Sky gazing, mud kitchen and seed bomb launching will support babies and toddlers in participating in a circular economy by keeping materials in use and regenerating natural systems which encompasses the social, economic and ecological pillars.
