“Experiencing” the Forest
by Lisbeth Uribe
The School at Columbia
Have the kids lie in silence on the ground (if it isn’t too wet) and feel the earth, the wind in their hair, the sun on their faces. Look up at the “ceiling” of the forest.
Ask the children to lie down on their backs with both fists held up in the air. Every time someone hears a bird song or other nature sounds (wind in the trees, falling leavings, rushing water, etc…) the student lifts one finger. Who has the best hearing?
Take a very short hike between a few inches to 3 feet. “Hikers” cover the trail inch by inch discovering a whole new world. See tiny plants that litter the forest floor, a world where miniature stones are gigantic boulders and life-and-death struggles (spiders stalking its prey) take place right under our noses,
Blind walk (use a blind fold or close your eyes)
Exploring the forest blindfolded, even for a short time, encourages the students to reach out with other senses. It also improves balance and children’s ability to feel the landscape with their bodies. When blindfolded, or with eye’s closed, children walk slowly and feel their way. This works really well if the students follow a long string across the forest.
Ask the children to sample nature’s aromas. Try to separate the scents. Have them smell the ground at various locations and see if they can tell the difference in each area. Have them smell what is ordinarily not smelled, like leaves, the bark of trees or rocks.
The proper way of moving in nature requires quieting the walk. Children can practice walking like a fox. The basic idea is that the foot is placed on the ground before putting your weight on it. Feel each step before your weight is moved. Try doing this without looking at the ground! Notice that the pace must slow down and your stride is shorter. What makes it even tougher is to try not to break a twig. Silence and not leaving a track is key.
By taking in the full picture, the sight becomes sensitive to movement and thus animals, birds, and insects can more easily be detected. Have students stand with their arms stretched out from their sides at right angles to the body and move their fingers. Have them look ahead, attempting to expand their vision until their moving fingers come into view. How does this help you to see more than what is right in front of you?