Experiential Learning Activity- A Noticing Nature Walk

Experiential Learning is the process of learning by doing. By engaging students in hands-on experiences and reflection, they are better able to connect theories and knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world situations.

Going on a nature walk and deliberately noticing things encourages children to observe with all their senses. Children can learn to focus their attention and take in the details of things around them. It can be a peaceful, reflective experience for children. It can accommodate age-appropriate opportunities for learners who can explore at their individual pace. 

It can also help in integrating the basic linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing with Mindfulness. 

Keeping in mind the above objectives, for Class VIII students of VIII B and VIII C were taken a nature walk in the school grounds.  The students were guided to observe their surroundings keenly and notice all the birds, flowers, plants, fragrances, sounds and beauty around them. They were encouraged to pay attention to the environment with all their senses.

Simple questions were asked. For example:

Seeing questions: what can you see? Look all around you, up at the sky and down at the ground.

Smelling questions: what can you smell? Can you describe the smell? Leafy? Like mud?

Hearing questions: what can you hear? Birds? The wind? Other people?

Feeling and touching questions: what can you feel? Is the sun warm? Is the ground rough or smooth?

They stood in a 'circle of harmony' and talked to each other. They described what they felt in brief sentences and phrases.

Later they were asked to write a diary entry to describe their experience. 

It was observed that it increased  the happiness level of the class. Children were refreshed and ready to express themselves more joyfully after the walk.