“…children desperately need to have a multitude of whole-body sensory experiences daily to develop strong bodies and minds.” Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist.
“Whole-body sensory experience” is the perfect description of this outdoor experience at Marbles Farm. Some of the sensory experiences I can see are the cold air temperature, the heat from the fire, the sticky texture of the marshmallows, the smell of smoke, the visual rhythm of flames from the fire, the sweetness of the marshmallows, the cold from the snow on hands, feet, knees, and bottoms, the comfort of loving help from an adult.
In addition to enlivening the senses, the children experienced the need for patience as they toasted their marshmallows and waited for them to cool before eating. They experienced the intense heat from the fire and learned about safe distances. They experienced the social skill of waiting their turn to use the marshmallow stick. They learned through experience what materials would burn. They experienced the calming effects of the flickering flames. They had the social experience of building a fire together. They found out through experience what happens when fire and snow collide.
Nature is the great teacher. Playing outside fills a “desperate need to have a multitude of whole-body experiences.”
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