Have you ever heard of the seasons table ? It is a corner of the house dedicated to nature and the cyclical passage of time to introduce children to the unique characteristics of each moment of the year and to stimulate their curiosity and interest.

In this article, we have decided to explore the topic together, with a particular emphasis on its use in Waldorf and Reggio Emilia pedagogy, without forgetting some tips for setting up your space!

The table, or corner, of the seasons is a table decorated with objects that represent the seasons of the year. Typically, it is placed in a central area of ​​the house, or in a classroom, so that it can be seen, touched and experienced by all the children. It is used in a variety of educational approaches to help children connect with the natural world, develop their curiosity and creativity, and acquire new knowledge and skills. It is the place dedicated to the treasures of nature found during walks, where you can keep the memories of your adventures and discover the elements of each season.

In Waldorf pedagogy, the seasons table is used to help children develop a connection with nature and its rhythm: each season has a unique energy and the table is set to reflect that.
In autumn, the table might be decorated with dry leaves, chestnuts, and pumpkins, while in winter, it might be adorned with items such as ice crystals, pine cones, fir branches, and lanterns.
Colors are also used which cyclically characterize the different seasons: blue and white represent winter, green spring, yellow summer and orange and red represent autumn.
The use of colors in the Waldorf table is linked to the theory of anthroposophy , which underlines the importance of colors in stimulating the imagination and in energy balance. According to this theory, colors influence our mood , our emotions and our physical and mental well-being.

In Reggio Emilia pedagogy, the table of seasons is used as an exhibition space to show children's work and to document the changing of the seasons: children can create works of art that show the nature they see and experience during each season. season and display them on the table. This way, they can see their work represented in the larger context of the cycle of the seasons.
Furthermore, the table of seasons can also serve as a starting point for exploring, learning and discovering firsthand ; children can come into contact with the cycles of life, the characteristics of plants and animals and human activities that occur in each season. By doing so, it also becomes a space to introduce new words and concepts related to the seasons.
The Seasons Table is a tool to encourage research and investigation : children are invited to ask questions about the seasons, explore the objects on the table and seek answers to their questions through observation and experimentation .

In both approaches, the seasons table is a way to help children develop a connection with the natural world and to encourage creative exploration ; promotes curiosity , as well as a deeper connection with nature and the world around us; it is a meaningful experience for children to help them develop their cognitive, motor, social and emotional skills.

Conversely, in the Montessori method the seasons table is often used as part of a sensory activity where children can explore and manipulate natural objects associated with the different seasons of the year.
When present, the Seasons Table becomes a tool for introducing children to notions of the weather , the season, holidays, and cultural traditions , rather than a method for connecting them with nature.

This is also the case in Emmi Pikler's childhood pedagogy , where it is used as a space in which children can play with natural objects and experiment with different materials.

In these approaches, the emphasis is on the child's autonomy and exploration in relation to materials.

So what are its benefits ?

• Connection with nature

The Seasons Table can help children develop a connection with nature, as it encourages them to explore the natural elements and observe the cyclical changes of the seasons, also leading to greater awareness and respect for the environment around us.

• Creativity

The seasons table can offer an opportunity to stimulate children's creativity: they can create decorations and add objects they find in nature, using their imagination to create a setting that represents the season.

• Interdisciplinary learning

The Seasons Table can provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning, such as connections to art, science, geography, history and culture. Children will learn to identify the distinctive characteristics of each season and the activities, both man-made and natural, that take place at any time of year.

• Focus and attention

The seasons table can help children develop their observation skills, the elements on the table will be an invitation to discover. What are the secrets they hide? How they are made?

• Autonomy

The seasons table offers an opportunity to promote the autonomy of children, who are invited to contribute to the set-up by choosing objects and decorations to add. Leave trays and containers to help the child keep the space tidy (we, the temptresses, recommend the beautiful tinker tray with dividers by Grapat).

Setting up a seasonal table is a creative and fun activity: each corner can (and must!) vary according to personal preferences and available resources, but we leave you with some advice to help you organize your seasonal corner .

• Choose a suitable place where children can easily see the objects and interact with them. A quiet, well-lit area of ​​the house will be the ideal place.
• Inspired by the Waldorf pedagogy, decorate the surface with a fabric, you can choose a color that represents the current season.
• Add natural objects associated with the current season, such as leaves, dried flowers, pine cones, twigs, shells. Objects can be arranged in creative and artistic ways to stimulate children's curiosity and exploration, but don't fill the space - remember to let them take care of it and let it grow.
• Create handcrafted elements that represent the current season, have fun with materials and explore and create with the children, let this corner become an opportunity to spend quality time together.
• Leave books available, and if you want informative material, which illustrate the characteristics of the current season.

I hope you enjoyed this article! If so, share it on your channels! If you have any doubts or questions, do not hesitate to write to us. See you soon!