Word Muse: Connection

As part of our 100 certified Nature Explore classrooms celebration we asked each site to share a word that embodies the kinds of experiences children are having in their outdoor classroom. The compiled list of words is profound! I am so proud of the adults who are committed to making these spaces part of children’s everyday learning environments.

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, asking myself if I’m having those same kinds of experiences in my work to support educators. How do I transfer this powerful list of words into action statements for my own life?  Several years ago a colleague, Vicki Bohling, empowered a group of workshop participants to practice their close observation skills by imploring them to “look closer and see deeper”.  I am going for it and I invite you to join me!

Each week for the next year I will focus on one of these great words.  I want to ‘see deeply’ and be more aware of the ‘in the moment’ experiences that truly make the words come alive for me. Then, I am going to share my reflections with you.  Perhaps you’ll be inspired to share with me as well.  I hope you will.

And so we begin.  Our first word is Connection.  Be bold, choose to be extraordinary, and I will see you next week.