From the Fields, Forests,
and Streams

I am the learning environment. I am child-led wonder. I am risky play. I am playing outside on a beautiful fall day, the crunch of leaves beneath little feet, the drip of rain from bare branches, the scrunch of snow under my feet, the turning of winter, spring, summer, and fall. I am a nature school. By Melissa Richter Teacher at Magic of Play Preschool

“Let the child explore,” she says. “Let the child discover,” she says. Let the child get messy splash in puddles, ask questions, and stand in awe of what I have to offer I am nature. I am mud. I am the sun. I am rain or shine. I am the bumblebee buzzing around your head, I am the wind gently blowing across your face, I am the tree branches swaying back and forth, I am the bird chirping in the distance, the squirrel looking for the acorn he buried, I am the woodpe

I am messy hands, a bucket full of dirt, worms awaken to greet the fresh soil dampened by yesterday’s rain. Tiny hands pick me up. I wiggle and squirm. Laughter erupts, for a moment I am something magical, something special, Wonder and awe shine bright. Then gently, I am placed back down into the cool, wet earth where I belong, I am nature. By Melissa Richter Teacher at Magic of Play Preschool