A Primer for The Grown-Ups “Encouraging a child to go outside in all weather builds resilience, but more importantly it saves them from spending their life merely tolerating the ‘bad’ days in favour of a handful of ‘good’ ones – a life of endless expectations and conditions where happiness hinges on sunshine.” Nicolette Sowder ByContinue reading “How to Find Joy and Awe in the Cold!”
Author Archives: carriekomesch1
How Pretend Food Leads To Authentic Connections
Everywhere we go, in the real world and in play, food is essential to how we connect with others. At forest school, it’s no different. There are many facets where food and learning and inquiry intersect throughout our days in very real ways—we gather intentionally together around the fire to lunch and snack; we haveContinue reading “How Pretend Food Leads To Authentic Connections”
When a Junkyard Becomes Beautiful: What it’s like to play and teach with BIG loose parts
By Carrie Komesch We know that loose parts support children in open-ended imaginative play and connection with one another. When one thinks of forest school, it’s easy to envision a pleasantly weathered mud kitchen, or a pile of wicker baskets warming in the sun, waiting to be filled with acorns and joy. But what aboutContinue reading “When a Junkyard Becomes Beautiful: What it’s like to play and teach with BIG loose parts”
The Creek and Emergent Science: Giving students agency to define and guide their own scientific thinking
By Carrie Komesch Water has an inherent draw to it, as a background feature on the landscape, as an acoustic presence, and as a loose part in play. But what about water as a vessel for giving children agency to define and guide their own scientific learning? Biological sampling emerged as a natural extension ofContinue reading “The Creek and Emergent Science: Giving students agency to define and guide their own scientific thinking”
The Out to Play Walking School Bus: A reflection on the value of playful work
By Carrie Komesch The bridge crossing over the creek and subsequent sharp turns in the pathway are some of the most challenging places to maneuver the sled on the commute in or out. The Out to Play Walking School Bus is a phenomenon rooted in necessity, or at least convenience. As educators, we walk theContinue reading “The Out to Play Walking School Bus: A reflection on the value of playful work”