- Rowan Cable
- Mar 15
- 3 min read
As March unfolds in our corner of Maine, the seasonal transition brings a palpable energy to our preschool community. The children have been first to notice the subtle shifts – the way sunlight lingers a bit longer each afternoon, how snow retreats in patches revealing earth that has slept unseen for months, and most excitingly, the return of our woodland neighbors.
Following Their Lead
Last week our outdoor play time took an unexpected turn when our students discovered deer tracks heading into the woods. This observation sparked a collective curiosity and a desire for adventure amongst our young learners. The children organized themselves with cooperation- gathering walking sticks and making a plan with their teachers to trek deeper into the woods.
What followed was one of those magical educational moments that no curriculum could have planned. Our forest walk became a journey of discovery led entirely by the children's observations. They moved with purpose, pointing out more deer tracks pressed into the remaining snow, following the scampering movements of chipmunks along the rock wall, and standing in wonder beneath trees marked with woodpecker holes.
The Profound Benefits of Outdoor Play
These moments of connection with the natural world offer benefits that extend far beyond simple recreation. Research consistently shows that regular outdoor play:
Strengthens immune systems through exposure to diverse microorganisms
Develops stronger physical capabilities and coordination
Enhances observation skills and scientific thinking
Reduces stress and anxiety
Builds social connections through collaborative exploration
For young children specifically, nature provides an unparalleled context for development. The sensory-rich environment stimulates cognitive connections that simply can't be replicated indoors. The changing seasons offer ongoing opportunities to observe, question, and develop theories about the world – core scientific skills that will serve them throughout life.
Embracing Beneficial Risk
Perhaps most importantly, our nature walks highlight the critical importance of what developmental experts call "beneficial risk." As educators and parents, we instinctively want to protect children from harm. Yet managed risk-taking is essential for developing confidence, judgment, and resilience.
During our walk, we witnessed a remarkable example of this principle in action. When one young friend ventured too far onto a patch of melting ice and water, another child quickly came to their aid with a large piece of wood to create a makeshift bridge so that child could climb out of the puddle with ease.
There's a special magic in this type of child-led cooperation and creativity that only emerges when we step back and allow children the space to lead. As adults, our instinct might have been to rush in with a solution, but by pausing and observing, we witnessed children developing problem-solving skills, empathy, and leadership in real time. These authentic moments of challenge and resolution build a foundation of confidence that structured activities simply cannot replicate.
Each of these moments required children to assess situations, make decisions, and experience the natural consequences of those choices. When adults step back and allow these experiences (while maintaining appropriate safety vigilance), children develop an internal sense of capability and leadership.
Reggio Principles in Action
This child-led exploration exemplifies our Reggio Emilia approach. The children directed the investigation based on their interests, we documented their discoveries, and the natural environment served as the third teacher. Their observations will now inform our classroom provocations as we will explore weather and seasonal changes.
As parents, we encourage you to embrace these early spring days with your children. A simple walk can become an expedition of discovery when we follow their lead and embrace their natural curiosity. Notice what captures their attention, support their risk assessment, and watch as their confidence blooms alongside the earliest spring buds.
What signs of spring have you noticed with your child? We'd love to hear your stories of outdoor discovery.
