Woodland Nurture

Woodland Nurture Connecting people to each other and nature through engaging experiences. To book, go to: https://woodlandnurture.pembee.app/

Useful!
24/06/2025

Useful!

A summer solstice story...
22/06/2025

A summer solstice story...

Long ago, before the names of months were written down, the people watched the sky to tell time. They didn’t need calendars—just the language of the stars, the shape of the moon, and the way the sun moved across the sky.

One morning, an old man named Mînamêw woke before the birds. The air was thick with dew, and the silence was so deep, it felt like even the trees were holding their breath.

He stepped out of his lodge and looked east. The sky was already painted with that golden hush—the one that comes only once a year.

He called out to his grandchildren, “Come now. Hurry. The sun is going to stand still today.”

The little ones laughed. “Nôhkom said the sun always moves!”

But Mînamêw only smiled. “Today, it slows down. Not to rest, but to remind us.”

So they walked—Mînamêw with his cane carved from lightning-struck birch, the children with bare feet skipping over cool moss and wet stone.

They climbed a hill the old man had climbed many times before. But this time, when they reached the top, he didn’t speak. He just waited.

And as the sun crested the horizon, something strange happened.

It didn’t rush up like usual. It rose slowly—stretching its arms across the sky, lighting every tree, every insect wing, every drop of river mist with a glow that felt ancient.

The children grew quiet. Even the wind sat down beside them.

After a while, one of them whispered, “Is the sun really standing still?”

Mînamêw nodded. “Just for a moment. Long enough for the earth to catch her breath. Long enough for us to remember.”

“Remember what?”

He looked at them with eyes full of sunrise. “That we belong to something much older than worry. Much bigger than fear. That even light must pause to listen.”

And in that stillness, they heard it.

The flutter of wings.
The far-off echo of a loon.
The heartbeat of the land, steady and true.

That night, they returned home different. Not because the sun had changed—but because they had.

Ever since then, when the summer solstice returns, the people say the sun is watching.

Watching who still remembers.
Watching who still listens.
Watching who still carries the fire.

—Kanipawit Maskwa
John Gonzalez
Standing Bear Network


What an amazing Spring we have had! Now that mid-summer's day is upon us, it looks like the weather may break a little. ...
21/06/2025

What an amazing Spring we have had!

Now that mid-summer's day is upon us, it looks like the weather may break a little. Some rain would be a blessing for the parched earth and shrunken reservoirs.

In the woods the dappled shade and refreshing breeze has been most welcome. We have had much joy learning about water and about the summer solstice amongst other things.

Enjoy the photos!

Photo-dump from the last couple of weeks...
15/06/2025

Photo-dump from the last couple of weeks...

Such an inspirational advocate!
29/05/2025

Such an inspirational advocate!

It's easy for me to talk about what I don't like about the Government's approach to children and education.
So this is a summary of some positive alternatives!

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✅ Observe children's needs & learning styles

➡️ Children don't need an instruction manual, we just need to take the time (at home and then at school, if attending) to observe how they learn best, where their interests and strengths lie, what makes them feel heightened and what helps their emotions regulate.

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✅ Support families and build communities

➡️ If a school requires 100% attendance and homework every night, they need to reduce their curriculum. All children need time to rest and play, and those experiencing challenges will often benefit from more time at home.

Building communities helps us ensure families are supported and children kept safe.

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✅ Self-Directed Learning and Lots of Play!

➡️ Our mainstream schools are still based on Victorian methodology - they are outdated and counterproductive.

Children learn best through exploration, experimentation and play. What starts as fun can become expert understanding and knowledge. A focus on uniform, fixed curriculum, memorisation and testing wastes the most formative time of our children's lives. Play also helps develop emotional intelligence, communication, problem-solving and diverse thinking.

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✅ Autonomous Home Education Supported

➡️ It isn't enough to say that "Good Home Educators have nothing to fear" - the Government needs to recognise that self-directed learning and autonomous home education are both suitable forms of education that cannot be assessed against the current school model.

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✅ Wide range of Alternative Provisions

➡️ Busy schools do not work for many children. Some children want to attend 'school' but only part-time. Some home-educated children want to attend group learning sessions once a week. Alternative Provisions can offer specialist learning, small groups and a focus on "soft skills" such as teamwork and communication.

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It really isn't that difficult is it?

Instead of investing in punishment, control, fear and oppression, you invest in people and support.

You help develop strong communities that look out for each other and ensure they have access to trusted people to reach out to if they are worried or know someone needs support.

You provide education and empowerment, encouragement and understanding and provide individuals with what they need, from day one. When they come to have their children, they will then do better, and better, and better.

And in a few generations' time, this miserable, depressed, poor, disconnected country will be a distant memory.

People with different needs will know what works for them and be empowered to do what they can, in a way that works for them. And the community will be strong enough to support those who need it.

Who's with me?

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www.areyoulisteningnow.co.uk

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Sunday 29th June, Wales
March for Children Protest

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To support my content and campaign work, you can "Buy me a Cuppa".
It helps with costs, including train fares and literally cups of tea!
https://buymeacoffee.com/jennhodge

Useful explanation of  dopamine seeking...
29/05/2025

Useful explanation of dopamine seeking...

Learning to stay in the learning space is so important.
24/05/2025

Learning to stay in the learning space is so important.

Loved this week's Stay and Play! Thursday mornings are such a weekly highlight for me.We took advantage of the lit pizza...
23/05/2025

Loved this week's Stay and Play! Thursday mornings are such a weekly highlight for me.

We took advantage of the lit pizza oven and toasted our bread on it before slavering it with yummy honey.

Some children found a bumble bee and were able to identify it using the ID sheets - great observation skills!

It was only a 5 week term yet we crammed such a lot in! Our new staff, Kerry and Kaylee have settled in wonderfully , it...
23/05/2025

It was only a 5 week term yet we crammed such a lot in!
Our new staff, Kerry and Kaylee have settled in wonderfully , it already feels like they've always been amongst the trees!
The final week of term had a focus of bees and circus skills, rounded off with some yummy pizzas cooked in our fabulous pizza oven.
We will be back from 3rd June for a 7 week term.

23/05/2025

Saying goodbye the WN way.
This little man will be greatly missed.
We wish him well in his new adventures.

Address

Woodland Nurture, Woodland Lodge, Rufford
Newark
NG229HA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 2:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 12pm
1pm - 3:30pm
Thursday 10am - 3:45pm

Telephone

07866882425

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