During my first week of school, I was asked to find a sit spot. Finding a sit spot is never something I have thought of doing myself which made this an intriguing experience and opportunity.
I have seen sit spots used in early learning programs. Sit spots are often a place children may choose to go to recenter themselves when feeling over stimulated or hyper alert. In my experience, a sit spot has looked like a time-out corner where the children just sit down and wait although it might be decorated with stuffed animals and soft fabrics.
When I was asked to find a sit spot myself, I viewed it differently. I thought about finding a place in nature that is inviting. A place where I could enjoy going and experience being part of something without having to insert myself by saying “Excuse me” or asking “Can I join?”
The sit spot I found was down by the Ottawa river. I thought of this sit spot because the purpose of this area is to walk along the water. Grasses and plants grow wildly along the board walk leading you further and further away from the busy street. Finally, when I stopped walking, I sat on a park bench and became part of my surroundings.
I listened as the water rushed along and the birds chatted back and forth to each other. I even saw a frog for the very first time. As I sat on the bench, listening and watching, I felt like an equal part of the earth and as I reflect on the experience, I realize I strengthened my ecological identity. Without feeling part of the earth we cannot take care of the earth and this is crucial to experience.
Just as my ecological identity was strengthened through my sit spot, I support introducing sit spots to children that allow them to feel connected to the world around them. I do not believe sit spots need to be in fixed areas as I have witnessed in my experiences in early learning centers. Educators can sit the children anywhere and ask them to pay attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around them and voice their ideas and curiosities about the natural world. Perhaps sit spots can even be close to windows when inside to create a seamless space between the indoor and outdoor learning environment. Perhaps sit spots could be next to a gate or a garden. I like the idea of supporting children in finding their own sit spots and guiding them to use their senses to connect to nature.
This reminds me of times when I would bring a group of infant children on a walk as a supply educator. I would often stop the carriage next to flowers, trees, and water fixtures and allow the children to take in their surroundings rather than merely walk past everything. I occasionally described the sounds of insects and running water or pointed out hydrangeas. Perhaps this was a way of supporting an ecological identity and connecting infants to nature through a sit spot without fully realizing it.
Let me know if you have a sit spot or have every used them with children and what you think about connecting to the natural world.
Rebuilding Our Connections with the Natural World 
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