If you’re like me, you’re thinking about what to plant in your garden this Spring, or how to make time for nature walks.
It’s the season of LIFE SCIENCE, as Spring presents us with a dramatic display of the life cycle. Every year this season returns to remind us that renewal is always right around the corner. What a great message, and one we all need.
Trees are popping out buds and leaves everywhere, don’t forget to stop and take a good look. Leaves are amazing and often overlooked for their more colorful siblings…the flowers.
I love LEAF RUBBING with crayons. It’s fun to collect leaves then vigorously rub wax crayons over them – they offer such interesting patterns & textures. Crayon rubbing also reduces stress. It requires shoulder movement and a big range of motion that is physically active, making a unique mind-body connection possible.
Who knew something so simple could be so cool, fun, and therapeutic?
In Leaf Rubbing with crayons, we push out some of our stress…we draw it out. Physically focused art like this helps us release stress hormones and lactic acids that build up in our body from stress overload. Amazing, right? And a trauma-informed practice that is scientifically backed up.
Leaves provide metaphors for many things. Leaves are INCLUSIVE..and can prompt discussions on diversity, equity and inclusion. Leaves have representation everywhere, and are available to everyone. They grow in all neighborhoods, rich or poor, and in all climates. Leaves are resilient. They come in all shapes and sizes to play with, to sort, and to use in artistic creations.
Leaf Rubbing also makes dramatic wall art and murals. Try GROUP LEAF RUBBING on large white butcher paper taped to the floor or taped onto a large table. It’s easy to set up, costs practically nothing, ties in with Nature and STEM, and helps both kids and adults make relaxed, playful connections.
(Honestly, you could even do group leaf rubbing at an adult cocktail party, or at an outdoor family picnic this summer).
What are you doing to combine nature and creativity this month?
Click on the picture above to download my free eBook “Stem and Creativity in the Outdoor Classroom,” or forward it to your staff.
And if I’ve inspired you to try Leaf Rubbing, you can DOWNLOAD my TIC Lesson Plan by clicking on the picture below:
Check out these 100 educators doing Leaf Rubbing at the Long Beach ECE Symposium this weekend. Thank you for your enthusiasm!
Spring is in the air. Can you feel it?
Thank you for taking the time to read my ideas and share your experiences. I hope you enjoy connecting with like minded spirits as much as I do.
