More than 350 children in Early Years settings and Key Stage 1 school years visited KGV community centre in 2024 through events organised by the Be Active team. The children engaged with nature, walking, playing and learning in a fun, friendly outside environment. A grant and collaboration with the Nature Commission enabled the team to enhance the walk around the nature trail.
The initiative continues in 2025 with 17 settings and more than 260 children due to visit over the summer. The children will have opportunities to use bug collectors, magnifying glasses, identify insects and leaves and enjoy a story on the theme of nature
We want children just to enjoy the environment at KGV but we are also providing some learning materials for Certain subjects:
Tree/Plant Identification
· Identify some species of trees and plants on the nature trail.
· Describe parts of plants that help us identify them.
· Use a spotter guide or ID card to help to name plants.
Nature Stories
· Use natural materials to create a picture on the ground of a character from the story.
Minibeast Hunt
· Observe and recognise some simple characteristics of minibeasts and other living things and their habitats.
Exploring Senses
· Using natural materials mix up a potion in a cup.
· Challenge the children to remain still, sitting on a ‘sit spot’ marker. Set a timer to see if they can remain still and quiet and listen to sounds around them.
· Cloud spotting/Looking at the leaf canopy.
Colours in Nature
· Colour matching with pebbles: Each child picks a pebble from the bag. They will search the specific area to find natural items matching their colour.
· Children to walk slowly under the trees while holding a mirror flat at the end of their nose so they can look straight up into the canopy and feel like they are walking through it.
· Rainbow Treasure Hunt: Children work as a team to find natural items matching the colours on the table.