Learning with Nature: Experiences of Children with Special Needs Through Forest and Water-Based Activities

As teachers of children with special needs, we conducted a series of activities during summer for the CLENA project, combining nature with their learning process. Our approach was based on forest pedagogy, colour exploration, and learning about aquatic environments through play. These workshops provided the children with a unique opportunity to learn and grow through direct interaction with nature, which is especially valuable for this group. The activities were not only educational but also promoted motor, cognitive, and social skills.

Forest Pedagogy: Searching for Natural Materials and Painting with Them

One of the first activities we conducted was related to forest pedagogy. We took the children into the forest, where we explored natural materials like leaves, bark, moss, flowers, and fruits. The children’s task was to find various natural materials, carefully observe and touch them, and then create artwork using these materials.

A special challenge was painting with natural pigments, where the children used plants we found in the forest. During this process, they explored different colour tones, scents, and textures. This activity was more than just creating art – it stimulated sensory perception, fine motor skills, and awareness of the natural world around them. The children were fascinated by how a simple plant or piece of wood could leave a coloured mark on paper. What surprised us the most was their focus and enthusiasm as they discovered how natural materials could change their properties.

Colour Bingo: Searching for Natural Materials in Specific Colours

Colour Bingo was a game that particularly engaged the children. Outdoors, we prepared a list of colors they had to find in nature, and the children set off on a quest to match materials with the specified colors. This was an excellent way to strengthen their perceptual skills, as they had to carefully observe their surroundings and select materials that matched specific shades.

Additionally, this activity required cooperation and communication among the children, as they helped each other in their search, discussed their findings, and shared their discoveries. Colour Bingo promoted both teamwork and independence, and through play, the children also developed their social skills. The success of this game wasn't just about finding the correct colors but also the satisfaction and pride in completing the task.

Water Games: Exploring Differences Between the Sea and a Pond

The third activity we conducted involved water games, where the children learned to distinguish between different aquatic environments. Through fun and educational games, we explored the differences between the sea and a pond, as well as the animals and plants that live in these environments. The children learned through play that the sea contains salt while ponds are freshwater. We also learned about various animals, such as fish, shells, and algae found in the sea, as well as frogs, water lilies, and other freshwater organisms found in ponds.

This activity was crucial for developing their cognitive skills. Through play, the children learned basic natural science concepts, such as distinguishing between saltwater and freshwater, and understanding how different species of animals and plants adapt to their environments. Additionally, the activity fostered empathy for nature, as we discussed the importance of keeping aquatic environments clean and how we can care for the animals that live there.

Concluding Thoughts: The Importance of Nature in the Educational Process

The activities we conducted demonstrated the significance of nature as a learning environment for children with special needs. Through play and direct interaction with natural materials, the children learned not only about natural processes but also developed their motor, social, and cognitive skills. Taking the children out of the classroom and into nature allowed for a more holistic and authentic learning experience.

Nature offers endless opportunities for learning, exploration, and creativity, which is especially valuable for children with special needs. These workshops were more than just a learning process – they were an experience where children explored the world around them through play and discovery, while simultaneously building confidence and independence.