Nature Pedagogy
Out into nature – environmental educator and Diploma-biologist Dr. Katharina Henne enriches us once a month with her fantastic nature explorations, guiding us through spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Here, the children discover and explore plants, animals, and natural phenomena.
Spring
Out and about in the most beautiful spring weather, discovering the first “signs of spring,” daffodils, bluebells, large buds, the first leaves, and birdsong. In the park, we listen intently—hearing the great tit and the “Zilpzalp” and observing low-flying bumblebee queens in search of nesting sites. With dedication and plenty of creativity, experiences unfold.
Summer
Experience summer in all its natural colors. Discover various plants, blossoms, and animals (including a fruit that looks like a strawberry but isn’t one—a false strawberry). What colors does sunlight have? Notice the significance of colors in different animals (ladybugs, wasps, and hoverflies…). Simply beautiful.
Autumn
Measure our strength against the power of the air—feel and make the air visible, explore the soil in depth, sense its components, examine soil samples with magnifying glasses, conduct a sponge analysis, and observe what lies beneath. Simply wonderful and magnificent.
Winter
How do animals survive the winter? Observe squirrels amidst light subzero temperatures and snow, feel the thick winter coat of a roe deer, build a hedgehog nest, create feeding cones, and watch birds. The children immerse themselves in “free play.”