I think that this is a magical way to expose Tiny to the cultures from which her family came but also those found in cultures not as familiar to our family. I am moving towards incorporating festivals from all over the globe. ![]() Children connect deeply with the rhythms of the seasons and becoming acquainted with various festivals and their meanings is a great way to embrace your child’s nature desire for connection. You can add elements to your base table that are specific to a holiday or festival or you can create an entire section or separate area devoted to festivals. The nature table is also a great way to highlight and celebrate seasonal festivals. Curiosity and enchantment will get the best of them so it is a good idea to have a nature tray compromised of your child’s nature finds that he or she can “play” with). This is especially helpful when creating a table with a young child. (You can set up a nature tray with objects that are available for play. Older children are only limited by their imagination which is vast.Ĭhildren should be encouraged to touch and move the objects on the nature table, although generally these items are not meant to be moved away from the table and played with. Paintings or painted silks can be added as backdrops. Children over 10 might like to add a wood working type of item such as a wooden acorn or small structure. Finger knitted dolls, animals, and trees are simple items that school age children can make. Older children can make objects themselves to add to the table. I do make sure that items are free of bugs and grime but generally, Tiny picks out some pretty nice natural objects. I do not put any restrictions on what Tiny can add to the table. It should not be up to the parent to do this solely. Children of walking age and older can help collect beautiful natural objects for the table. I have a set group of objects that I use for each season and then Tiny adds her “finds” on an ongoing basis. It is a beautiful affair to create a nature table with your child. The nature table is often the focal point of a main living area of a child’s bedroom. I typically have a Spring nature table in March, April, and May a Summer nature table in June, July, and August an Autumn nature table in September, October, and November (with a special scene added during Thanksgiving week) and a Winter nature table in December, January, and February (with a nativity scene added the week of Christmas). Generally, the scene will be related to the current season or an upcoming festival or holiday. ![]() ![]() When we as parents bring the external world indoors, children learn to appreciate the many ways in which nature is at work in their surroundings.Ī nature table or seasonal table can be whatever you want it to be. We are no longer just a part of time forward but we are experiencing deeply a piece of the season. The important aspect of a nature table as it relates to children is that the child is able to connect with the objects and the scene depicted on the table. First, the search for objects in nature help both parents and child connect to and live in accordance with the rhythm of the seasons. Young children do not knowingly study nature but they are nevertheless unconsciously aware of its laws. Creating and maintaining a nature table will sharpen your observation of what goes on in nature from your adult consciousness. The figures and items on the table depict the essence of what is happening in nature. The nature table allows the changes that are taking place in the natural world to be given expression indoors. (Remember this post where I discussed rhythm? I mentioned a yearly rhythm and this is a great way to incorporate that). A nature table, also known as a seasonal table, is a place in the home where you can follow the natural cycle of the year.
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