Let's take a walk in the woods
Oh, the beautiful season of chestnuts and marrons, of trees turning red and yellow, and of pretty leaves to gather. No way we're spending autumn on our living room rug, even if it is incredibly comfortable ;) It's time for a walk in the forest! And why not turn this outing into a moment of discovery and sharing, by taking our little ones out of their strollers (and our rugs)?
For Sophie Lernould, a body-mind therapist and founder of Bien-être en mouvement (Well-being in Motion), the benefits of the outdoors are numerous for our children (as for us!), even from a very young age. So at Mezamé, we put on our boots and decided to join her on an outing with her mini Nature Club, dedicated to toddlers from walking age to 3 years old.
Along with five other mothers, we follow Sophie and her cart, piled high with all sorts of things, into the forest. She soon stops to lay down large tarpaulins and her borrowed (and adopted!) mat, on which we sit to discover the morning's program. " I always prepare a semi-guided activity ," she later tells us , "but above all, I trust in nature! The arrival of a snail or a puddle can quickly take over what I had planned, so what? The important thing is to awaken the senses ; as for the rest, I don't have any particular expectations ! "
Today, Sophie has planned a treasure hunt: each child (or parent) has a sheet listing items to find in the forest, and a basket to collect them in. " If you don't find everything, it's not a big deal," she says with a smile . "Parents, I'm counting on you to relax! "
For the past three years, through the various workshops she offers, Sophie has been committed to fostering children's connection with nature, but above all, she wants to help parents understand and embrace the benefits of free movement. " Parents need this," she says, "to let their child climb a mound of earth on their own rather than holding their hand, to let them get their hands dirty, jump in the mud, feel the wind or the rain on their face… There is a very strong link between a child's psychomotor development and the experiences they have outdoors."
Once we've collected our colorful leaves, pebbles, and small sticks, we get together to create a large collaborative artwork, Land Art style. It's not always easy to share your own finds with others, but the result is worth it! Sophie arranges all these little treasures, and we feel like we're creating a true work of art. We hear "wows" erupting from all sides!
Before parting ways, Sophie suggests some free play with a makeshift tea set, which the children greatly enjoy. It's a chance to quietly make a delicious stone soup in their own corner, digging in the earth with a spoon, without worrying about others or any instructions. " These moments of free play are precious; they allow children to act mindfully. They're doing something for themselves, and no one else. This brings us back to all the benefits of outdoor school: calm and serenity . "
This whole little group will part ways with a smile, their pockets full of chestnuts and their heads full of wanderlust!
For more information: @bien_etre_en_mouvement and www.bienetreenmouvement.com
