The "nature" of learning about the natural world

"By keeping children away from complex, natural environments, from experiencing risk, from learning to play imaginatively we are not denying them the chance to develop fully –‐ to become autonomous and independent." David Bond


Spending time outdoors and experiencing the wonder of nature is essential for children to learn about the natural world, writes David Bond
Unveiling plans this week for a new National Curriculum, Education Secretary Michael Gove has been criticised for introducing endless lists of spelling, facts and rules, and sacrificing understanding for rote learning. The Wildlife Trust claims Gove is proposing to remove teaching about the natural environment from the curriculum.
Learning about the natural world helps children to connect to the huge environmental issues that face us. If you don’t know about something, it is very difficult to care about it.
But I would go a step further. Children should be encouraged to spend more time learning about the natural world, but instead of doing this in a classroom, I believe that the emphasis should be on children experiencing the natural world first–‐hand. Click to continue reading article at Outdoor Nation

Blackthorn Blossom

The five snow-white petals of the blackthorn blossom, with a tiny splash of green and a circle of yellow tipped stamens, are the first blossom to be seen in the orchard. Well technically not in the orchard but on the boundary. A sure sign that Spring is here as we enter "Daylight Saving", the clocks "sprung" forward in the early hours of the morning and we now have the long light evenings to look forward to.

Blackthorn blossom is very similar to hawthorn, but the hawthorn blossoms after the leaves appear while the blackthorn blossoms before the leaves.

Easter at The Orchard Tea Room

Easter Weekend 2013 has, so far, been cold, very cold with a few snow showers thrown in for good measure.

What nicer way to spend a little time outdoors than to visit an orchard tea room?

A brisk walk around an orchard, followed by tea and cake by the warmth of a log burning stove.

Sounds like a good idea?

The Orchard Tea Room & Farm Shop
Redmoor Lane
Wisbech
Cambs
PE14 0RN

(Just off the A47)