14 / matters magazine / summer 2017 next 90 minutes, the children played, stopping to observe the soil, roots and bugs around a downed tree and sniff- ing the birch beer scent of a birch branch. Setting the tarp near a shallow pond, the children put their rain boots to the test, exploring the mud and shallow water near the shore. Luanna and Stanley set out to make a mud pie, deciding on a chocolate-strawberry variety. Their teamwork helped them resolve the consistency of the pie, add- ing Stanley’s foraged “magic strawber- ries” to the mix. Luanna baked the pie in the oven, retrieved it just before it threatened to burn and fed it to the parents who declared it delicious. At the conclusion of the class, all enjoyed snacks and sang a song. The enrichment sessions have proven successful with both kids and parents. And not just those from Ma- plewood and South Orange: A num- ber of families travel from Jersey City and Bloomfield. Children satisfy their sense of curiosity, get plenty of exer- cise, sing, listen to storytelling, and learn all sorts of nature-based lessons. And their classroom is different every day – that’s how nature works. Parents appreciate that their children are out- doors rather than in front of a screen, and reaping the many benefits that the forest presents. As Luanna’s dad declared, “When Wednesday comes around, Luanna always tells me it’s a special day because she’ll be going to Nature School.” A recent article in Psychology To- day notes, “The early years, especially, should be spent playing, exploring, and developing the intellectual foun- dations that will allow children to ac- quire academic skills relatively easily later on.” Sonneman points out that many children leading an indoor-cen- tered lifestyle lack good balance and core strength. Attending nature school can often solve these issues as they use their body to learn: kneeling to ob- serve a spider, squatting to examine a plant, climbing and balancing on a fallen tree, running with a net to catch a butterfly. Sonneman is now gearing up for her first year of Forest Kindergarten, a Mary Clair Sonneman with one of her enrichment classes at South Mountain Reservation. Photo credit: Emily Feinsod Nature can be messy, but that’s the best part for these little hands. Photo credit: Emily Feinsod Second Generation Family Owned and Operated for 20 Years. Michael’s Chimney Service LLC & Masonry Contractors 973-271-0026 www.michaelschimneynj.com Chimneys cleaned, repaired, rebuilt, relined. Fireplace & Furnace Sweeps. Keep Your Family and Home Safe this Summer. Time for your Chimney Clean Up. Free check of your heating system flue for carbon monoxide leakage. Free Estimates - Fully Insured 24-hour Emergency Service PSE&G violations corrected. All types of Masonry Work: Sidewalks, Steps, Patios 10% OFF any job over $1500 Coupon must be presented at time of contract. Expires September 1, 2017. License #13VH07937500