Investigating water

As a child did you even lie down on your tummy peering down into a pond or a lake, noticing the ripples created by a gentle breeze of wind, the cascading shadows from surround bushes and the reflections made on the surface from overhanging trees? If you did WOW what a magical experience to have, if you have not, I recommend that you go and try it.

Nature offers so many wonderful experiences for us to immerse ourselves in, the sounds of birds and tree branches blowing in the wind, a butterfly landing and feeding from a flower and water, in streams, lakes and when it rains. Water naturally has a calming effect on our bodies and children are fascinating by it, from jumping in puddles to watching it pour through the taps and filling and overflowing the sinks.

Here are some photographs taken from one of our Forest School sessions at our local reservoir, the children here were all fascinated by the water, they noticed how dark the water was, some children lay down on their tummies to have a closer look, poking sticks into the water to see if they could disturb any creatures, some children loved to stir the water disturbing the bottom and creating a muddy swirl. Some fascinated by the flow of some water overflowing from the lake creating a small stream, travelling through the forest.

This simple experience is something that the children return to do time and time again, provoking their interest, conversations, and learning, connecting to nature in that moment of time.

Give it a try...

You will need....

• Some sticks

• A local reservoir, park or pond
• Risk asses beforehand and discuss with children the dangers of open water (we discuss this before and during every session)