A child's first teacher

As early childhood educators, we always talk about the environment being the child’s teacher, but do you know who the first and second teachers are? Children’s first teacher is their parents/caregivers, while the second teachers are their preschool/school teachers. The environment as the third teacher is one of the key principles of the Reggio Emilia approach, and is widely established in early childhood settings across the world. As for the being described as the first teacher, us parents need to realise the weight and responsibility of this “title”.

In one of Out Outdoor Classroom classes this week, we were hanging out by the pond, making scoops and fishing lines with natural materials found in the environment. One child was busy creating his own fishing rod by securing a long string to a sturdy stick and putting a weight at the end. When he was done, he stood up and cast his fishing line into the pond. He said, “I want to grow up to be like my dad. Now I can be like him and fish like him. Except I don’t need to go to Daiso to buy a $2 fishing rod, I can make my own! So I can be just like my dad with my own fishing rod.” He was so so very proud of what he had made. He had obviously seen his father fish before, knew that he liked to fish, and wanted to be just like him.

These words really resonated with us and reminded us of the importance of parents as role models and how much of our behaviour, actions, and values our children pick up unknowingly. We don’t realise the enormous impact of the things we say and do, or do not say and do not do, can have on our children’s development, sense of identity and self-esteem, and motivations. Do we tell them “less screen time” and are constantly on our phones? Do we say “we should go outdoors and play more” and then sit in an air-conditioned cafe the whole time?

Children are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.

We have been given the privilege to teach, guide, and parent our beautiful children. Whatever we do, say, believe and dream, leave lasting footprints in our children’s hearts. Let’s make them count.

OUR tree top net

At Botanic Gardens, we visit this tree top net quite regularly. The children always requests to begin their day with us climbing “just for FUN!” Familiar with the location, they are able to find their way there and enjoy simply climbing up and down the net. It’s so interesting to see how they navigate their way around this area, comparing how they were when we first explored the tree top net, with how they are now, after playing on it for several weeks.

Helping a friend whose shoes were stuck in the net.

Recalling our first exploration there, the children were fascinated with the spiral stairs and wanted to go up and down, gathering dried leaves from the bottom and bringing it up, only to let them fall back down to the ground. They were exploring concepts of height, gravity and perspective. Not too sure what to do when they saw the nets, they referred to the signage that had rules/regulations regarding playing at this space. No bags allowed, no eating etc. They were assessing the place - is it safe to play? how can we play safely? Finally they started climbing, cautiously balancing and making their way to the tree trunks. Some didn’t dare to go and stayed by the sides, hanging their feet down. Others didn’t even want to go near the nets and busied themselves collecting fallen leaves and flowers on the deck instead. They learned that the tree was a Tembusu tree, providing shade and beautiful small peach-coloured flowers. As the weeks went by, we continued to visit our tree top net, providing time for children to explore.

Fast forward to today, our children have become so familiar with this place that once they get there, they immediately put their bags down and begin to play. Be it climbing all the way up, or staying low along the net, or laying down on the net looking up at the vast sky, or even playing around net on the deck, they know that they are in a safe place. A place where they can try new things, where they can choose what they want to do, where they can grow. Those who were initially afraid to step onto the net now sit comfortable on the net, talking to friends. Those who could touch the tree trunk in the middle can now climb up and hug the trunk. They pick leaves caught in the net and create pictures with them. They engage one another in conversation of their surroundings and play. They willingly help and encourage others.

This is part of our urban forest school’s approach, exploring and familiarising ourselves with areas within our parks, to provide children with a conducive environment to nurture their curiosity, creativity, and holistic development. Just like our experience with the tree top net, a lot can happen in just a matter of weeks when you revisit a place and become comfortable with it. You connect with it, you take risks, you let go. And when you do, you learn so much about yourself, your friends and the environment. This tree top net is now fondly called “OUR tree top net” :)

CLAY-ful Expressions, June 2019

An urban forest school nature walk! You don’t have to go to the forest to explore nature.

What does the frangipani flower smell like?

This is something that we believe in and was evident in our second holiday programme, CLAY-ful Expressions, a collaboration with 3Arts x Center Pottery. Our walk from the pottery studio to the nearby neighbourhood park provided us with opportunities to observe and highlight interesting plants and flowers along the way. We weren't in the sense of the phrase, going on a nature hike, but we were definitely on an urban forest school nature walk :)

Children were able to see flowering trees and shrubs along the roadside, residents tending to their thoughtfully curated gardens, wild flowers growing in the drains, single and double-storey houses, cars, people walking their dogs etc etc. All things neighbourhood! It was interesting as children were overheard saying things like, “My house doesn’t look like that. It’s in a tall building”, “My grandpa’s house is like that”, “That looks like my car! Same colour and model.” Children were observing, making comparisons, reflecting, and making connections to what they already know! They were expanding their knowledge of the world and how it works.

Look! A noni fruit. “This fruit has so many eyes. What could they be for?”

Our urban forest school nature walk broadened our knowledge base of different plants in Singapore - we learned the names and facts of different flowers eg. Hibiscus as the national flower of Malaysia (Overheard “I’ve been to Malaysia before for a holiday!”), Ixora (Overheard “I’ve tried the nectar of the red one. Would the orange one taste the same?”), Blue Pea or Butterfly Pea flower can be used to make tea (Overheard “My mummy makes tea with this!”), Frangipani (Overheard “I know how to spell frangipani.” “It smells like my soap at home.”), observed the special features and adaptations of plants like the cactus’ needles, and the life cycle of plants through examining the flower buds, stems, roots, and blooming flowers. We asked questions, came up with hypotheses, and shared our thoughts and ideas.

So many connections being made, so much learning involved through simple, authentic outdoor experiences. Just go take a walk outside!

Explore the Shore, June 2019

Reflection.

It’s been about a day since we wrapped up our first holiday programme this June (we have a second one coming end of the month!). Reflecting back on the children’s learning journey, our own learning journeys, it’s truly amazing how stepping out of the norm, out of the typical comfort zones, and pushing unspoken boundaries made us listen more closely to the heart of a child.

Navigating rocky, moss-filled surfaces, exploring unknown environments (mudflat anyone?), swimming in the open sea - these are some things that our young children these days rarely get a chance to experience. Not just them, look at ourselves! The sheer wonder and amazement we see in their eyes while trying something new is what we want to see more often. The aha! moments as they connect concepts and achieve their own goals, no matter how small it may seem, is truly a remarkable sight. They are willing to learn, willing to try, willing to grow.

Exploring a mudflat during low tide. At the same time, helping to collect trash.

We didn’t have a set “theme” that we wanted to “teach” the children, but as per our Roots and Boots approach, allowed them to set the direction for the programme. It was evident on the first day that they were concerned for the environment, the litter in parks and along the coastline. It unfolded so organically and truly brought meaning to the programme, emphasising to us the importance of child-led, inquiry-based learning and exploration. Nothing felt rushed or forced upon (well, maybe only the “time to head back” as we only had 4 hours!), and we could’ve explored the outdoors for a much longer time. It was an unforgettable experience!

We shared some learning points on social media (Instagram @rootsandbootspteltd; FaceBook “Roots and Boots Pte Ltd”) that really stood out to us. Coming from the children, they reminded us of important values like resilience, open-mindedness, and empathy. Values that must be harnessed and cultivated.

Our children are the future. What kind of future do you envision? What would you want them to be like?

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

This is something that struck us as we thought about our programmes and learning outcomes for the children (and ourselves!). When it really comes to it, isn’t the statement true? It is apparent in countries that go through the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, that you dress according to the season. You would look out the window to check the weather before opening your wardrobe to pick out an appropriate set of clothes before stepping out the front door. People in these countries change out their wardrobe clothes every season - shorts and tees in the summer, jackets, turtlenecks and long pants in the winter. Let’s not even start with all the transitional clothing for all the in between. Footwear changes based on the season as well. Flip flops, sneakers, sandals, boots, snow boots etc all serve their own weather purposes. Life doesn’t stop when weather changes.

So why should learning?

In local early childhood settings, children learn about weather. They discuss activities that can be done on a sunny day like going to the beach, or to the park to have a picnic. Typical rainy day activities involve staying indoors mostly at home, playing boardgames or reading a book. Maybe catching a movie at the cinema or going to the library if you are adventurous enough. What about playing in the rain? Stomping in puddles? To do so would mean hearing well-meaning people saying “you will fall sick”, “you will fall down”, or “you will get dirty”. But that wouldn’t be so if you are well-prepared, attire-wise. Raincoats can help you stay somewhat dry, and boots will protect your feet. Slippery ground is inevitable, but children wouldn’t know how to “be careful” if they don’t get the chance to experience and learn how to walk on wet surfaces.

We, in Singapore, are fortunate to have rain episodes that don’t last long (typically). We also have many sheltered areas even within outdoor spaces built for respite from the elements (heavy rain or scorching sun) that are free for us to use - so why not make use of them?

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.

- Vivian Greene

During rainy season, our Thursday class at East Coast Park experiences quite a bit of rain. Most days it stops less than half way through the session and what we get are unique perspectives of the park/beach while it’s raining AND just after it rains. Things look, smell, and feel different after a rain shower. Children learn about rain, about properties of water, about wet and slippery surfaces. They learn about friction as they try to walk on a wet floor, and can literally feel the difference when walking on a wet road or wet ground. They are balancing, they are coordinating their movements, and are controlling their strength. Their understanding deepens as they problem-solve and make decisions based on what they know.

Don’t let these learning moments slip by. Go out and explore (perhaps in the rain?)!