Flow Learning™ Chart
Stage 1
Purpose:
Awaken Enthusiasm
Quality:
Playfulness & Alertness
Benefits
- Builds on children's love of play
- Creates an atmosphere of enthusiasm
- A dynamic beginning gets everyone saying "Yes!"
- Develops full alertness, overcomes passivity
- Creates involvement
- Gets attention (minimizes discipline problems)
- Develops rapport with the leader
- Creates good group dynamics
- Provides direction and structure
- Prepares for later, more sensitive activities
Stage 2
Purpose:
Focus Attention
Quality:
Receptivity
Benefits
- Increases attention span
- Deepens awareness by focusing attention
- Positively channels enthusiasm generated in Stage 1
- Develops observational skills
- Calms the mind
- Develops receptivity for more sensitive nature experiences
Stage 3
Purpose:
Direct Experience
Quality:
Absorption
Benefits
- People learn best by personal discovery
- Gives direct, experiential, intuitive understanding
- Fosters wonder, empathy and love
- Develops personal commitment to ecological ideals
Stage 4
Purpose:
Share Inspiration
Quality:
Idealism
Benefits
- Clarifies and strengthens personal experiences
- Builds on uplifted mood
- Introduces inspiring role models
- Creates group bonding
- Increases learning for everyone
- Provides feedback for the leader
- Leader can share inspiration with a receptive audience
From Sharing Nature with Children II,
formerly Sharing the Joy of Nature © 1989 Joseph Corn
Bird Calling: In North America, you can call small birds to come close by making a “pssh-pssh” sound (a method used by birdwatchers). Here, a Brazilian girl in the Mata Atlântica rainforest uses a wooden call to attract birds.
In Heartbeat of a Tree, children of
any age use stethoscopes to listen to
the circulatory system of a tree.
(Thinbarked trees work best.)
Sitting Quietly, Reflecting: Writing poetry and drawing one’s “best view” are among the Journey to the Heart of Nature exercises that help people bond with a “special place” in nature.
Share Inspiration: Reflecting on our
personal experiences in nature, and
sharing them with others, clarifies and
strengthens them.