Acorn to Oak: Nature Based Learning

04/11/2026

Following rain, conifers emit phytoncides which are volatile organic compounds to protect themselves from insects and decay. When inhaled, phytoncides reduce stress hormones (cortisol and adrenaline), lower blood pressure and boost the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells. ☔️

The earthy smell of rain, known as petrichor, is largely caused by geosmin, a chemical released by soil-dwelling bacteria (actinomycetes) when rain hits the ground. These compounds, combined with moisture, act as natural aromatherapy, helping to trigger relaxation, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. ☔️

One of the reasons our moods are improved after PLAYING outside in the rain!!! ☔️

04/03/2026

Putting the last pieces together for my presentation on Monday; The Miracles of Play.

Designed to be engaging, thought provoking and grounded in research.

Looking forward to 4 hours of discussion with fellow educators!!!

04/03/2026

When children are given TIME…time to direct their own learning…time to PLAY…these are the results.

What you can’t see are the hours of communication, problem solving, collaboration, negotiating, creating, imagining, persevering, developing a sense of agency, confidence building and awe to name a few.

In Denmark, since 1876, Play has been an educational theory.

It’s what we do at Acorn to Oak!! We PLAY!!♥️

03/25/2026

Harley is having a hard time keeping his eyes open after this morning’s amazing Forest Friends session!!! ♥️ Those boys tuckered him out!!

03/16/2026

Would LOVE to welcome my dearest teacher friends for an afternoon of PLAY!!!

Sign up soon! Limited seats!!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CaCSBFb3M/?mibextid=wwXIfr

03/14/2026

Research states that children are performing at a lower level in regards to strength than ever before. Especially when compared to children of the 80s!!!

Well, not these two, who have been attending my Outdoor Nature Play programs for years.

When we give children the opportunity to move their bodies for hours on end in nature, they develop as nature intended. ♥️

02/13/2026

I think today had to have been the best day for PLAY this winter!!! It was just absolutely magical in the woods and none of our toes were cold!♥️

02/11/2026

This is why my outdoor space has so many opportunities to develop a healthy vestibular sense. The children spin, twist, roll, hang upside down and move quickly in all directions. I didn’t know about our vestibular sense until a few years ago. Our children need movement for healthy development and a lot of it!!!

Imagine spending your whole day feeling like you are standing on a moving floor or a rocking boat. For many of our three to five year olds, this is their daily reality because their vestibular system is under active. This often happens because they are getting too much screen time and not enough of the heavy active movement they need each day.

The vestibular system is an inner ear system that is supposed to be our internal GPS. It tells us our direction and our position in the world and it helps us understand our space in relation to other people and furniture. But when the vestibular system is not firing properly children feel fundamentally unsafe in their own skin. The world and their own body start to feel like one of those warped mirrors at a carnival.

This is exactly why we are seeing so much dysregulation in our rooms at the moment.

These children with undeveloped vestibular systems are not being naughty when they push or shove their peers. They are often just trying to find a physical boundary around their own body because they feel lost in space.

If we keep ignoring the need for vestibular play we are going to keep seeing children who are on edge and tripping over their own feet. They will continue to be reactive to other children coming into their personal space because they simply don't know where they end and the other child begins.

Dr Jane Williams and Tessa Grigg have shown through their research that this physical foundation is non negotiable. They explain that movement like spinning and rolling and climbing is what builds a steady internal vestibular system. Without it a child cannot focus on their play or follow instructions because their brain is too busy trying to keep them upright.

I have put together some vestibular resources on my website to help you turn this around in your room and I will put the link in the comments.

There are some free activities that are perfect for children aged 3 years to 10 years to help them feel grounded. We need to get children moving so they can finally feel safe and ready to learn so please share this post.

02/10/2026

This is the research. So well said!♥️

02/02/2026

Last year we were 9 hours short of achieving our 1000 Hours Outside goal. 🥲 But as you know, we don’t give up here at Acorn to Oak. So, here is our very own personalized version to help motivate us.♥️ I drew the images so each square has 10 spots. Makes counting so much easier!!!

01/30/2026

❤️Winter PLAY is definitely my favourite!!

Unpopular opinion (that’s actually grounded in brain science): Snow play builds what children’s brains need more than any formal lesson does. 🧠⛄❤

Remember: the brain is built from the body up. Nothing provides the developing brain with stronger infrastructure than movement, sensory-rich feedback, and child-led play (alongside secure and responsive relationships, of course). So if your children are home because of a snow day, this isn’t a learning setback. It’s actually a brain boost.

01/29/2026

This is such a great visual to help explain the many skills children learn when PLAYING. Will definitely reference this in my upcoming PL!!♥️

The benefits of play run deep! ❤️