Date: Experience topic:

Land Art

Name of staff: Age range:

This learning experience is appropriate for children from birth to two years of age

Inspiration:
Andy Goldsworthy uses materials from the natural world to inspire and create his land art. Collect some natural materials and show children these materials. Alongside this, show children at least 2 images of And Goldsworthys art. Discuss the fact the Goldsworthy only uses materials from outside to create his land art.

Inspiration

Discussion -Discuss nature with children by asking what kinds of things that they see in their garden or in the outdoor environment at the centre (e.g. trees, flowers, sticks) -Then, show the natural materials that you have collected to the children.

-Pass the materials around to the children and ask What does it feel like, rough, smooth, sharp What colour is it? -Incorporate lots of open ended questions into the discussion, this encourages children to express their ideas and think about the materials they will be working with momentarily. Children develop many dispositions for learning, such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, selfexpression, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence and imagination

Links to the EYLF Children are confident and involved learners.

Children are effective communicators

Children express their ideas and make meaning using a range of media Children interact verbally and nonverbally with others for a range of various reasons Children become socially responsible and show respect for their environment

Children are connected with and contribute to their world

Objective: -For children to positively interact in

their environment with materials and peers -For the children to begin to be able to name characteristics of the natural materials i.e. colour and texture -Children begin to learn how to manipulate materials -For the children to select their own materials and make their own decisions -Children, at this age, are sensory learners, (sensori-motor stage of development) therefore it is important for the children to feel the different materials -Children use their fine motor skills

ACTIVITY PROCEDURE: (The educator may need to collect a selection of natural materials also)
1.Provide each child with one small Chinese takeaway box or bucket (this assists children to carry their natural materials as they collect them) 3. Direct the children to the sand or mud pit and encourage them to empty their buckets (now collect the buckets, as the next part of this activity only requires natural materials). 5. Allow children the freedom to explore, and if they wish to work with a peer do not inhibit this process 2. With a small group of children, preferably no more than five, go out side and get the children to collect some natural materials 4. Children will then start to place their materials into the mud/sand in various different ways. The experimentation process will begin 6. Supervision is important for safety reasons and if the children have any questions or wish to enter into discussion. However, do not participate in the activity, or create your own land art, children will compare and may become disheartened.

Resources and Materials

- 5 buckets or 5 cardboard Chinese takeaway boxes -The natural materials that the children have collected Modifications -A modification of this activity is to make it a whole group activity. However, this will require more than one educator and various areas in the outdoors so that the children can spread out and have adequate space.

-A sandpit/ mud pit (mud works very well as children can make imprints and the mud will dry) -A selection of natural materials that the educator has collected Assessment This activity is predominantly about a child exploring the world around them and learning how to manipulate and use natural materials in a respectful and creative way. It is about the process of exploration, discovery and imagination. This activity is a great way for educators to take photographs, write observations and learning stories to share with parents and families. Ultimately encouraging natural exploration in the childs home.