The children at our preschool have been exploring the beautiful environment our campus offers. On a nature walk, one child observed some similarities and differences between the Prickly Pear, Saguaro, and Buckhorn Cholla cacti saying, “the thorns are all the same, but the shape isn’t.”

Children use View Finders to concentrate in on the details of the thorns. Digital cameras were also used as a resource for children to explore distinguishing features of cacti by photographing, themselves, parts of the cactus to focus in on.

“Whoa, check this out guys! I can see where they connected!”

Many children referred to the thorns on the cactus as pokeys, prompting the teachers to ask why the children think cacti need pokeys? When children communicate their theories, they are challenged to articulate their own unique perspectives, as well as consider the point of view of others.

“They don’t want us to touch them because cactus are scared of us. So God put thorns on them, but that doesn’t hurt them.”

Our Memorial Garden is an especially tranquil area on campus with unmatched beauty of what our desert can offer. Our preschool Atelierista, Ms. Melanie, set out chalk pastels amongst the beautiful desert greenery for the children to explore.

“It is still daytime but there is a pretty pink and purple sky. The grass is pretty green. The wind swirled in the sky”

“I’m drawing grass. The white underneath is the worms. They help the garden.”

The next time you join us on campus, we encourage you to explore the beauty of our campus through the wonder-filled eyes of our youngest learners. Sit and listen to the water run through the memorial garden, follow the rocks in the labyrinth, and take a closer look at the diversity of cactus and colorful flowers that fill our campus. There is beauty to be found all around us!