Children of the Early Childhood Development Center immersed themselves in nature-centered play Oct. 1 during the Center’s Sticks and Stones event in McKinnon Plaza.

Celebrating the Center’s 13th year of service to the community, UM-Flint students, faculty and staff joined the children as they created simple, nature-based compositions and decorated clay medallions and journey sticks. Chestnuts, pine cones, beans of varied shapes and colors, stones, flowers, leaves, sticks and walnuts were some of the components used to spark their creative energy. Staff arranged nature stations to encourage children to explore at their own pace and without instruction.

“We want them to play and openly explore and learn how to use materials in a natural setting,” said ECDC Director Della Becker-Cornell. “Each of them learns in a different way.”

The activities provided an engaging and fun outdoor educational setting that supported individual learning styles. “Some are making patterns with the pieces and some are taking their favorite pieces and putting them in the clay,” observed DjCarda Aubrey, a co-leader with the older toddlers. “They’re also using sensory and math concepts.”

The event exemplified the Center’s Reggio Emilia philosophy, offering supportive and enriching activities that build upon kids’ natural abilities to explore the world around them. “It’s the idea that children are capable contributors to their own culture and not passive receivers,” said Mary Lynn Gottler, lead teacher. “It’s such a deep philosophy and so rich. I think it makes us more open to the world and to others.”

Students, faculty and staff enjoyed interacting with the children as they explored. “This is a way for students to stop and interact with the kids and to get the community together with the ECDC,” said Christine Kenney, Assistant Professor of Education.
For more information about the ECDC go to umflint.edu/ecdc.