Oriolus Kids
An Early Childhood Program where Children Experience, Explore and Express their Nature.
EXPERIENCE EXPLORE EXPRESS
With Oriolus Kids, children have the opportunity to…
Experience a kinship with nature that will continue throughout their lives
Explore nature through the seasons practicing lifelong learning skills
Express through the arts and sciences while playing, creating and investigating
Oriolus Kids is a pathway to the awareness of and engagement with the human-nature interconnection.
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Oriolus Kids is a seasonally inspired, nature-based program offering experiences in the arts and sciences. This program was created and is operated by two women with 35 years of cumulative knowledge and experience working with children. The environment is a screen-free, in-home setting with a fenced yard for a small group of children ages 2 1/2 - 5 years. We are located in the Nine Springs Neighborhood on the Southeast side of Madison, Wisconsin. Parks, trails and natural areas surround our neighborhood. Program days and hours are Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Full day and half day options available.
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Two experienced adults in early childhood education will provide indoor/outdoor seasonal activities and experiences in the arts and sciences.
Seasonal Mural created using a process, cooperative art method and multiple mediums.
Choosing a Tree to visit and observe throughout the seasons.
Movement Activities making a body/nature connection through movement that captures the essence of the seasons with stories and songs. This early childhood movement curriculum was created for Oriolus Kids by Sabina Mapp, who has a BA in Dance and a MA in Dance Anthropology.
Gardening on-site, in a raised garden bed. Also introducing seasonal eating and cooking.
Focus Walks on trails in our neighborhood's natural areas and park.
Science using a scientific method adapted for early childhood development. Also introducing Simple Machines.
Storytelling that reflects the essence of each season using classic and award-winning literature, puppetry, and dramatic/theatrical play.
Arts & Crafts opportunities to experience multiple mediums, including natural materials, and introducing the fundamentals of art.
Math Concepts are incorporated throughout the program's activities and introduce the fundamentals of math.
Music & Songs are incorporated throughout the program introducing the fundamentals of music.
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The schedule includes a general time frame for activities throughout the day. We provide a consistent schedule for each day, yet we adapt to the natural rhythm of the group.
*During self-directed playtime, we offer a variety of materials that change seasonally.
8:30 - 9 Arrival and acclimation time with self-directed play*
9 - 9:30 Gathering and greeting: coming together as a group and sharing movement, songs and stories
9:30 - 10 AM snack
10 – 11:30 Curated indoor/outdoor seasonal activities and seasonal sensorial walks
11:30 - 12 Movement curriculum
12 – 12:30 Lunch
12:30 - 1 Rest period
1 - 1:30 Acclimation time for PM arrivals and self-directed play* for all
1:30 – 3 Curated indoor/outdoor seasonal activities
3 - 3:30 PM snack
3:30 - 4 Movement curriculum
4 - 4:30 Group farewell: coming together as a group to end our day with movement, songs and stories
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Each day we engage in activities that are representational of the seasonal phase we are experiencing.
In the essence of Late Autumn, we gather the remnants of what nature has offered and made available to use. We gather a bounty of color and materials that engage the senses and evoke emotion as we prepare to go inward.
Activities Key:
(Parentheses denote learning concepts)
Italics express the human-nature interconnection
Activities during a Late Autumn Day:
Gathering and Greeting:
Sing, “Gray Squirrel, Gray Squirrel” (movement song)
Learn, “Five Little Leaves” (finger rhyme)
The essence of Mid-Autumn in verse.
Seasonally Curated Activities:
AM:
Focus Walk - Go out for a walk. So many leaves. Introduce leaf identification by looking at the edges of the leaves. Are they lobed, toothed or smooth? Gather leaves for an Arts and Crafts project. (observation and identification) We gather the materials provided in Late Autumn as wildlife gathers materials for their needs.
Arts and Crafts - Leaf Suncatcher - Make an Autumn leaf suncatcher with the dried leaves gathered on your Focus Walk. Cut two pieces of clear contact paper the same size. Arrange the leaves on one piece and cover the arrangement with the other. Trim the edges of the contact paper. Hang in a window and enjoy! (math, science, fine motor) We gather and enjoy the colors of Late Autumn. We intrinsically use the outdoor bounty of nature in our indoor space.
Movement Curriculum - Leaf Dance - Leaf Dance can be performed indoors or outdoors using real or crafted leaves. You and/or children throw leaves into the air and try to catch them. Add leaves on string to dance with. Have the children move like leaves moving up and down and side to side. (movement curriculum) The essence of Mid-Autumn expressed through movement.
PM:
Science - Open a Pumpkin - Cut open a pumpkin with the children. Ask, “What do you think is inside?” After opening the pumpkin and cleaning out the seeds, ask the children, “What do you think will happen if we add heat to the seeds?” Bake the seeds to be enjoyed as a snack. (science, problem-solving) Partaking in the bounty of Late Autumn.
Arts and Crafts - Make Candle Holders - Take a clear glass jar and decoupage it with Autumn colored tissue paper. Finish it off with an LED or tea candle. (sensory, fine motor) As the light wanes in Late Autumn, we illuminate our spaces.
Movement Curriculum - Leaf Dance - Continue to explore movement with leaves. Instead of catching the leaves, try avoiding the leaves. (movement curriculum) The essence of Mid-Autumn expressed through movement.
Group Farewell:
Read, Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (literature)
Read, Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell (literature)
Read, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
The essence of Late Autumn in literature.
Here are some self-directed play options for the indoors and the outdoors during Late Autumn.
Indoor:
- Autumn-themed literature
- Various sized and shaped wooden blocks
- Woodland animals
- Art station with Autumn-themed materials
- Dramatic play options with dress-up clothes. Farmer’s Market set-up with play food and baskets.
- Autumn-themed Storytelling Basket
Outdoor:
- Sensory bins
- Sensory table with simple machine accessories
- Rakes
- Pulley
- Balance beam
- Boards for ramps and roadways and vehicles
- Balls
- Walks to the park to play
Please contact us if you’re interested in having your child join our program.
Benefits of an Early Childhood Nature Program
Children that have the opportunity to experience nature are:
More engaged learners as it enhances their critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Playing outdoors improves coordination and fine and gross motor skills.
A nature program encourages the development of empathy for the living world.
Benefits of Living Seasonally
With Oriolus Kids, we practice a life lived in a natural rhythm through the seasons. Through this practice, children experience the following benefits.
Balanced Living—Living in conjunction with the seasons promotes a balanced life, reducing the constant pressure to be productive year-round. Recognizing times of action and rest throughout the cycles leads to overall well-being.
Greater Resilience—Living in nature's rhythm builds resilience. Periods of rest help with recovery and recharge, making one more ready for active times.
Enhanced Flexibility- This approach reduces the stress of rigid deadlines and allows for a more fluid progression, a natural ebb and flow.
Improved Focus—Seasonal living helps with what matters most at any given time. Thus, one is more likely to be present and intentional in one's efforts
“If the children show interest in nature, they share their vast knowledge of the subject material. Week after week, year after year, their lesson plan design fits the needs of all children.”
“This program is so special and thoughtful. I like the intention for creating a space for children to play and connect through nature and each other. Tying the connection between nature and the human experience is a lovely way for children to develop a healthy sense of belonging and of self.”
