In this learning story titled, Niamh’s garden adventure, young explorers embark into the beauty of nature, inspired by Niamh’s love for sunflowers. Their experiences lead to meaningful conversations about feelings and the environment, while a collaborative mural project fosters teamwork and creativity. This enchanting journey nurtures empathy and responsibility, setting the stage for future environmental stewardship.

Observation 
This morning, the children gathered in the garden, surrounded by flowers and buzzing bees. Niamh exclaimed, “I love flowers! They make me happy!” Inspired, the educator encouraged the children to find a flower that resonated with them. Niamh quickly ran to the sunflowers, declaring, “They look like happy faces!” Her delight was clear as she touched the petals.

The educator asked, “How do these flowers make you feel?” Niamh replied, “They make me feel like I’m in the sunshine, even when it’s cloudy!” Her peers shared their feelings too, with Liam connecting red tulips to bravery because they stand tall and strong and Sophie describing lilacs as sweet. Building on their enthusiasm, the educator introduced the concept of Eco-Emotions, explaining our feelings’ connection to nature. To enhance this connection, she offered a provocation to the children to create a mural using natural materials from the garden. Niamh collected twigs and petals from the ground, carefully avoiding the planted flowers, and said, “I want to paint a huge sunflower because it makes me feel good!” Each child contributed what they gathered, resulting in a beautiful mural reflecting their feelings toward nature.

This experience highlighted the importance of connecting emotions to the environment, guiding the children toward empathy and responsibility as future stewards of the earth.

The analysis of Niamh’s garden adventure 
Niamh’s garden adventure highlights the significant learning experiences for the children. Their initial joy in discovering flowers fosters emotional wellbeing, exemplified by Niamh’s expression of happiness. The educator’s open ended questions promote emotional literacy, encouraging self-expression and active listening, as seen in Niamh’s insightful response linking flowers to feelings.

The introduction of Eco-Emotions connects emotional responses to environmental awareness, cultivating a sense of stewardship and responsibility toward nature. Niamh’s careful collection of materials reflects an emerging understanding of caring for the environment. The collaborative mural activity reinforces teamwork and community, allowing for creative expression and collective sentiment.

Extending this learning further
When working with preschool children, educators play a crucial role in facilitating learning through thoughtful questioning and provocations.