#1 BLIND FOLD TREE HUGGING
Inspired by JOSEPH CORNELL SHARING NATURE WITH CHILDREN & LEARNING WITH NATURE: ROBB, MEW & RICHARDSON
YOU WILL NEED
- blindfold, bandana or scarf
- an area with at least one tree!
As humans rely heavily on our dominant sense of sight, this activity draws our attention to the other senses without the use of sight. In a parallel sense we are currently being challenged to trust ourselves in new ways, we may feel really vulnerable right now .Let’s trust ourselves in finding new ways of coping without our dominant ways.
It also helps develop trust between people as well as connecting with your tree.
It is quite a reverent exercise although it may elicit some giggles and that’s also good.
Sometimes some strong emotions form exploring and finding our tree; let’s give ourselves and each other time to listen and be with those emotions.
HOW TO DO THIS
WITH A PARTNER: (TWO CHILDREN OR ADULT AND CHILD; ADULT AND ADULT!) If you don’t have a partner then explore a tree of your choosing ‘blindfold’; it still works
l One of you is blindfolded; the other acts as a guide. Guide, lead your partner to a tree of your choosing.
2 Help your ‘blind’ partner to explore this tree. Can they put their arms around it? What does it feel like, from roots, up the trunk and higher….. ? What does it smell like? Is there anything growing on it; explore it from roots to as high as you can reach… what else can you find? Press your ear to the trunk; can you hear anything. Spend slow time doing this.
3. Guide lead your partner away from the tree using a non-direct route and ask your partner to remove their blindfold when some reasonable distance away.
4. Blindfolded one, can you find your tree using the sensory information you discovered? Guide, it is important to stay with your partner and prompt them if they would like that.
5. Find your tree!! …..
6. Swap partners
7. Share pics of your trees with us if you would like. This can be a deeply personal thing so no pressure.
REMEMBER
. Stay safe and ensure others are safe : follow the countryside code and current government advice relating to going outside
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code/the-countryside-code
. Ensure you have landowners permission before exploring off the beaten track
Into Nature 