Spring Sensory Sweetness

Spring is often marked by the budding growth of plants and trees, as well as young of all species beginning to explore the world around them. In the Unicorn group, as the children are reaching new developmental milestones, so too are they exploring their world and environments in completely new ways. This week, many of the children crossed over the deck and into the new territory of grass, wet dirt, mint, and garlic!  

“What is unique about the CEC when it comes to infant care and development is that we want children to have free movement, because we know that it is essential to their physical and brain development.” Lead Teacher Josie shared. “So initially, we set up the environments so they can be on their backs, because we will never put them into positions they can’t get into themselves. As they reach the gross motor developmental milestones of rolling over, scooting, crawling, pulling up to standing, and so forth, they are then free to move and discover new areas as their development allows.”  

Lately, as the teachers open the back door, the children move outdoors and venture straight off the deck and into sensory exploration of the cool wet dirt, the tickling grass, and the intriguing smells of the edible herb garden. Their confidence and trust in the environment and teachers can be seen through their freedom of movement and comfort in exploring all the new areas they are capable of getting to.  

“What is also unique is that we don’t take them to different experiences outdoors, we start on the soft area of the deck and let the children, when they are able, crawl off the edge of the deck and over into the grass to explore and even discover the sandbox on their own,” said Josie. “It's really exciting to see, because when they reach to grab the mint or the garlic, that's really their own intrinsic interest and motivation since we don't set them up in that space or direct them to it.” As young explorers, these young children are learning so much about their world and themselves in a manner that feels safe and helps to build their blossoming confidence.