This game is for groups of at least two. Pair off.
Blindfold your partner and lead him through the forest to any tree that
attracts you. (How far will depend on your partner’s age and ability to
orientate himself. For all but very young children, a distance of 20-30
yards usually isn’t too far.)
Help the "blind" child to explore his tree and to feel its
uniqueness. Specific suggestions are best. For example, if you tell children
to "Feel the tree", they won’t respond with as much interest as if
you say "Rub your cheek on the bark." Instead of "Explore your
tree," be specific: "Is this tree still
alive…Can you put your arms around it? ...Is the tree older than you are?
...Can you find plants growing on it? …Animal signs? … Lichens? … Insects?"
When your partner is finished exploring, lead him back to
where you began, but take an indirect route. (This part of the game has its
fun side, with the guides leading their partners over imaginary logs and
through thickets that might easily have been avoided.) Now, remove the
blindfold and let the child try to find the tree with his eyes open.
Suddenly, as the child searches for his tree, what was a forest
becomes a collection of very individual trees.
A tree can be an unforgettable experience in the child’s
life.
Sharing Nature with Children
By Joseph Cornell
