Kearyn and Adrianna, 13-year-old students at the Royal Blind school, Sight Scotland, recently enjoyed an outdoor learning session in the Astley Ainslie hospital gardens in Edinburgh. The gardens, open to the public, feature over 2,000 trees and provide a rich sensory experience for the visually impaired students.
Building a den in the woods
With guidance from their instructor Margon, the students built a den for shelter. They found two sturdy trees to support a rope and tarpaulin, then sat inside to enjoy the peaceful quiet. 'We sat inside and it was peaceful and quiet, and we concentrated on the sounds and smells of the woods,' they said.
Sensory experience of the woodland
The students noted the wet ground, spongy underfoot, and the smell of rain. They felt the textured bark of a tree, which Margon explained was old ivy vines. They also heard birds and the breeze rustling leaves.
Extending the learning
Before returning to school, the students made a smaller den for toy animals using natural materials. They also collected twigs and leaves for an art project in their school's sensory garden. 'We love our outdoor learning sessions and feel lucky to have somewhere near our school where we can experience nature,' they added.
