I love nature tables but often they are seen as nothing more than a beautiful display. I want our nature tables to be more than beautiful, I want them to present real learning opportunities. Learning opportunities that are child led, that connect us to nature and allow the child to explore the natural world around them!   

To start we always bring something from the outside, inside. We love to use flowers from our garden, we have so many you can't notice that we've picked any. Like most children, Otis also collects rocks and bits and pieces while out walking or playing. 

We love bug viewers for all nature items, not just bugs, but any type of magnifier will do, like bugnoculars, microscope, magnifying glass, something to closely observe the nature items. 

Otis will often label items on our nature table. It's a great way to encourage his written language skills. Today he was labeling daffodils, marrigolds and squirrel, all words that are challenging for him. He was using the movable alphabet which allows him to experiment with the word and move the letters around before settling on what he feels is right, I love this tactile experience with language.

We have a lot growing on the nature table. Sunflower, marigold and geranium seedlings. We also have a mystery plant that was planted at school and has since sprouted - it's exciting, I can't wait to find out what it is!

I know I've shown you this before but on the wall, we have the First Signs of Spring poster that is fantastic considering we are in a new country and are learning about the native plants and animals here.  

We almost always have a few model animals on our nature table too. Animals that in some way reflect the season. It helps to capture the spirit of the season and allow the child to play, tinker or role play with the animals.

Thank you so much to Manine Montessori for our gorgeous Tree with Bee and Beehive, I wish you could see and feel it in person, the woodgrain is lovely, also for our model animals and Flowers Growing Kit (other growing kits here).