Finding the Path

Last week we took our young two- and three-year old children into the forest for the first time.  In years past we have seen many responses to the forest:  anxiety, fear, joy, apprehension, elation and excitement.  Some groups get part way into the woods, stop to play on a log or chase each other and never go any further.  Other classes are goal oriented and want to walk and walk, to see what lies around the next bend.

This year's group walked quickly down the path to where it splits: the left hand path leads to Virginia Urology and the right hand path goes deeper into Larus Park.  The group opted to go right, so we headed that way, walking down, down, down until we could go no further as the path was too wet. After lugging sticks around, investigating holes, climbing logs and finding and covering up a worm, we began the trek back to school.  When we got to the fork in the path, I asked them which way we should go:  left or straight?

Covering a worm

The children confidently pointed ahead, so, even though we knew this was the wrong way, we walked on with the children.  Soon they came to Virginia Urology and realized this building was not their school.   I wondered if they would feel concerned or worried, but they confidently and matter-of-factly turned around and retraced their steps.  At the fork, they chose another path.

"Is this the right way?" I asked a child.  "Oh yes," he assured me.  Not a single child seemed to have doubts, to think they might be lost.  They had tried one path and were completely comfortable with the fact that it was wrong.  They were walking on a new path and were totally sure this would lead them back to school.

I was thrilled and amazed with their persistence, willingness to take risks, and their utter trust in us and in each other. It was late and they were all tired and hungry, but they walked on happily.  When at last we got to the top of the hill, they said, "There's our school!"  "There's Sabot!"  One child turned to me and said, "We did it!  High five!"

Resilience, curiosity, persistence, risk taking:  characteristics we value at Sabot and try to nurture in our children.

It starts as young as two-years old.

And that's pretty wonderful.