"Learning Through Wonder: Caterpillars, Bird Nests, and Forest Exploration"
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
May 28/29; Forest School; ages 5-11; SkyRiver Outdoor Schools
Parent resources for continued learning:
Today we learned a lot about caterpillars and the butterfly life cycle and birds! Here are some resources we used, that you can use at home to continue learning throughout the week:
Some days at Forest School seem to flow together effortlessly, and today was one of those days.
From the moment everyone arrived, there was a sense of kindness, curiosity, and connection that carried through the entire day. The children were deeply engaged with each other, immersed in their surroundings, and eager to learn from whatever the forest placed in front of them.
We began the day at one of our favorite fort-building locations. Not long after arriving, one of the children discovered a caterpillar hitching a ride on his shirt. It was the perfect invitation to slow down and pay attention. We gathered together to read The Impatient Caterpillar and used our unexpected visitor to learn about the fascinating life cycle of caterpillars and butterflies.
The morning unfolded with all the things that make Forest School special. Children relaxed in hammocks, explored around camp, painted, crafted bows and arrows, and spent time wood whittling. Nearly everyone chose to participate in whittling today, and it was wonderful to watch their confidence, focus, and fine motor skills continue to grow through this meaningful work.
As we explored, we also discovered a robin's egg. The children carefully passed it around, observing its color, size, and delicate structure. This sparked thoughtful conversations about birds, nests, and the incredible work parent birds do to care for their young.
One particularly memorable discovery was a tree with a dog tag screwed into its trunk. The children immediately began creating theories. Could a beloved dog be buried nearby? Was that why the tree seemed so healthy and thriving? Whether their ideas were accurate or not, it was a wonderful reminder of how naturally children use imagination, observation, and storytelling to make sense of the world around them.
Later in the day, we walked down to the stream and spent time discussing animals, habitats, and our responsibility to respect wildlife and their homes. We learned about where birds build nests, how they construct them, and why different species choose different locations.
The children then split into teams and set out to build their own nests using natural materials gathered from the forest floor. Working together, they experimented with structure, design, and problem-solving while putting their new knowledge into practice.
Another favorite activity involved our 3D-printed bird whistles. The children discovered that changing the amount of water inside the whistles changed the pitch and sound they produced.
Before long, the forest was filled with unique bird calls as children experimented, compared sounds, and attempted to "call" their friends from across the woods. The laughter and excitement that followed made for a truly memorable experience.
One thing we noticed today was how much we enjoyed gathering around a single picnic sheet during our group discussions. With everyone sitting together, conversations felt more connected and inclusive. Instead of naturally breaking into smaller groups, the children shared one collective conversation, listening to each other's ideas and building on them together. It was a simple adjustment that seemed to foster even greater connection within the group.
Looking back, the day was filled with everything we hope Forest School can be: hands-on learning, creativity, teamwork, imagination, exploration, and meaningful connections with both nature and one another.
Days like these remind us that some of the best learning happens when children are given the time, space, and freedom to wonder.