A lesson in patience

Today we went to a forest kindergarten in Northern Berlin. It was so different from our schools. The children up to age six meet at the park in the morning and head off to a different area of the city to explore and be one with nature. They start the morning with a morning circle that parents stay for and then break into two groups. We went with the older children to a botanical garden. The children eat breakfast and then free explore until lunch.


Some climbed trees over water most of the time with no supervision. They were free to explore into the depths of the forest climbing and running and making up games.


The founder of this particular kindergarten was VERY in tune with nature. She encouraged the kids to dig through dome bird poop to figure out what it's last meal was and sheet spiders crawl all over her. I was out of there in both situations.


As part of the graduation to school ceremony children have to make a floating boat. They have to saw a rectangle piece of wood into the boat shape, whittle a stick for a mast (with a sharp knife...on their own! ), and nail all around the edges.


At the ceremony they will put their boat into the river and watch it float. While I was holding nails in place, Aaron was busy helping the boys make a nest.


When it was lunch time we headed back to the kindergarten building for a family style lunch and said goodbye. I could not wait to get out. I was absolutely exhausted and a little on edge because they believe in children exploring without being told "no." It was a tad bit different than the way we do things, but the people at the school were welcoming and wonderful!

As of tonight we have officially made it to Hamburg. Tomorrow we are off to find playgrounds and explore the city.

Location:Högerdamm,Hamburg,Germany