Nature as Teacher

Vasily Sukhomlinsky taught, “The world surrounding the child is first of all the world of nature with its unlimited wealth of phenomena and inexhaustible beauty. Here, in nature, lies the eternal source of the child’s intellect.” My Heart I Give to Children, p. 23

I included the video above to give a glimpse into the kinds of experiences a teacher can create with children in a natural setting. The video offers a snapshot of a lesson Sukhomlinsky gave to his students. His school stood out as a model institution during the height of the U.S.S.R. in Ukraine. The school grounds included greenhouses, ponds, orchards, and forests for the children to explore, and he explored alongside them. They spent a great deal of time together outdoors. The school was also within walking distance of grain fields and the village itself.

The country had only recently emerged from the trauma of the Nazi occupation, and many families were deeply affected by the brutality and loss they had experienced. Some children were orphaned, and many lived in very difficult circumstances. Sukhomlinsky taught his students to cherish their mothers above all else and to express love through acts of goodness and service. One example was the apple trees the children planted in honor of their mothers. They waited three years for the first fruit, carefully tending the trees all along the way. When the apples finally came, the children proudly brought the precious fruit home to their mothers.

He encouraged families to create outdoor study spaces for their children. He urged them to plant fruit trees and grapevines and to keep bees. Sukhomlinsky believed that unhealthy children could not learn as well as healthy ones, and he worked to improve the living conditions of the entire village, especially the families of his students. He taught that time spent outdoors is essential to both wellness and education.

Our kindergarten shares these same beliefs. We will do what we can to offer similar experiences to the children in our care. There are many beautiful places and things to learn in our area. I look forward to spending as much time as I can with children in nature. It always enriches my life.