Rebecca Watson

‘’The curriculum is continuously subject to pressures to change’’ and rightly so. The world we live in is constantly changing and what each individual needs from the curriculum is changing with it. ‘’Each child and young person in Wales should be able to benefit from the curriculum.’’ (Donaldson. G, 2015) How is the curriculum design decided? There are many influences upon the curriculum, by different types of people. The schools and those working within them will have a say. Investors, stakeholders and the government will also have a strong influence and or say in what happens. When it comes to deciding the principles for the curriculum there are certain things you need to consider. Authenticity is one of them. Here in Wales we have some great culture and values that need to be considered when creating a curriculum. Once decided upon these need to be ‘aligned with an agreed set of stated purpose.’ Another thing that needs to be considered is how well researched the pract...

Firstly, how do we define exactly what nature pedagogy is? Many people will have their own definition of what nature pedagogy is. However, according to the founder of the International Association of Nature Pedagogy, Claire Warden (2018), ‘ ’ Nature Pedagogy  is a way of working with children and creating settings for care and education that embraces nature.’’ This can be achieved through different outdoor settings such as, forests, beaches and other accessible outdoor areas. ‘’ The natural world is vital to our existence, providing us with essentials such as food, water and clean air, but also other cultural and health benefits not always fully appreciated because we get them for free.’’ (Spelman. C, 2011) When in the outdoor space, the focus then turns to appreciating the outdoors and creating connections with your natural surroundings. The whole idea of nature pedagogy is based on connection. Connection to the outdoors and connection to yourself. In today’s society it’s ...

There is such a stigma around the idea of meditation and yoga. People’s minds are still yet to change and if you had asked me, back in comprehensive school, to practice yoga with my classmates, I would have turned around and laughed. The concept of mindfulness wasn’t understood but that’s beginning  to change. https://blogs.bmj.com/ebn/files/2018/07/Mindfulness.jpg  Mindfulness is making its way into schools all over the world and is becoming a staple of the curriculum. This year Australia launched its very first mindfulness curriculum in schools. The curriculum was designed by the creators of the Smiling Mind app and covers 20 mindfulness topics. These topics are constructed to ‘’support children in Year 1 to Year 6 to develop self awareness, self management, social awareness and social management skills.’’ (Smiling Mind, 2018)   Another school demonstrating mindfulness is Nantucket New School in the United States of America. Faculty at the Upper School...