Don't Fence Me In

I recently visited Habitat in Belmont with my daughter and the 4-year old class from her preschool and I wanted to share our experience:

In this day and age, and especially in a metropolitan area full of traffic, noise and fences, it is rare for our kids to have the opportunity to run freely in an open meadow, discover hands-on the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, or hear the sound of their own breath after a hardy climb over petrified logs. But due to a unique collaboration between Mass Audubon’s Habitat and the Belmont Cooperative Nursery School, a bunch of 4 and 5 year olds can do just that.

Tucked into the Belmont Hills just six miles from Boston, the Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary offers 93 acres of nature right at their fingertips. Once per week, the 4-Day class from BCNS bundles into coats and boots and heads out for a day of discovery, learning and old fashioned fun. 

Out in this protected, natural environment, the student’s natural curiosity has room to breathe. This weekly adventure provides another avenue for discovery beyond the classroom. On one particular Monday, Habitat teacher Heather provided the students with live soldier beetles to observe in small, magnified boxes. After discussing, drawing and reading about the creatures, the kids were able to head out to the trail to return them to their home, right there among the cracking bark of a silvery tree trunk. They spent time touching and observing the tree, squinting their little eyes to find more and more beetles living there. 

Later, they built homes for felted mice using materials from the trail, such as pine needles, sticks and rocks. Each group described their mouse habitat, discovering words such as “predator” and “camouflage.” Later, these concepts were reinforced with a rousing game of hide and seek, where the children had to camouflage themselves within the setting to avoid being spotted.

Under the towering canopy of trees in the afternoon sun, little bodies bobbed and weaved, giggled and squealed. They were permitted to run ahead, as long as they heeded the call to return to teachers with a silly word provided by the teacher. This freedom fosters a sense of independence, without the worry of approaching traffic intersections or driveways.

Sacks of trail mix with the special treat of chocolate-coated candies rounded out the day. Around the table there was a discussion of “gold mining,” or picking out the best things from the trail mix. The program day is structured with activities, discussion, and reading, but the kids would never know that it isn’t just plain fun.

Habitat is located at 10 Juniper Road in Belmont. Providing environmental education since 1970, Habitat offers 2.5 miles of trails, two ponds and a wetland containing a vernal pool. Visitors are welcomed daily. A lovely Georgian-style mansion serves as a visitor’s center. Visit their website at massaududon.org/habitat or call 617-489-5050.

Belmont Cooperative Nursery School is located at 421 Common St. in Belmont. Offering a unique and creative learning environment for children 2.9 to 5 years, BNCS provides the opportunity to grow and learn in a supportive environment that promotes confidence, social competence, and respect for all. Winter open house will be held on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit Belmontcoop.org or call 617-489-3259. The community of students who attend the school live in Watertown, Belmont, Arlington and Cambridge areas.