The ‘A-ha’ Moments

The “A-ha” Moment: A moment of sudden realization, inspiration, insight, recognition or comprehension.

As one child from Dixie Bee Elementary said to me, “field trips are the absolute best!” And we hear from kids a lot about how much they love it. They wait all year to get on that bus with their classmates to go visit somewhere outside of their school and have fun.

For the teachers and staff, sure, it might add a fair amount of stress to the day, but most will admit there is nothing like getting hands-on experience and providing opportunities to learn outside the classroom (especially when kids think they are just having fun).

I know for us at White Violet Center for Eco-Justice, getting to witness “A-ha moments” with our interns is a huge part of why we love what we do. However, going beyond that and also engaging young minds and hearts when they are at the beginning of their educational journey is an integral part of our ministry as well.

It is something that I have always been passionate about and I would agree with the kids when they say field trips days are the best! Getting to be a part of that experience with them is truly a highlight of what I do.

Knowing that at this time of their life, they are like little sponges soaking up all they can about the world around them makes me so happy that we get to provide opportunities for discovery and joy. Helping them recognize how we are all connected, realize where some of their food comes from and comprehend what the land provides for all living things is crucial at this development age.

And it is also just fun!

The fact that White Violet Center is located on this big, beautiful campus gives us a natural outdoor classroom that allows us to help create those connections with their environment. The students are embraced by the shade of the trees, enveloped by the sounds of the birds, intrigued by the feel of the soft fiber of the alpaca or chicken feathers, and enthralled by the sight of all of the different types of plants we have and everything around them.

Watching the delighted expressions on their faces when we pull a carrot from the soil or harvest a cucumber right in front of them, is a delight to us as well.

We get to see the comprehension washing over them as we give them an example of the cucumber and how we go from soil to seeds, from seeds to sprouts, from sprouts to a yellow flower, from a yellow flower to the food that they could eat right there or later turn into a pickle.

This is when we often get to witness those “A-ha moments.” We get to share something that just clicks. These moments, no matter what age, can inspire new ideas or changes in how a person relates to the environment and are critical to building a love for our Earth.

I often mention in my tours and field trips how much the Earth loves us and how we can reciprocate that love. I ask how we know that our family members love us. The answers are usually about the same:

So, I point out all the ways the Earth does the same thing. How it gives us food and water to drink. How it provides materials to build homes so we are protected. How it graciously gives us beautiful gifts like sunsets, flowers, trees, mountains and oceans for us to enjoy.

We get to share our space with many animals and fascinating creatures that also have been giving the gift of life on this Earth. As humans, if we love something, we do what we can to take care of and support it.

If children are spending time outside, if they are getting an understanding of how important our land and our natural resources are, the hope is that they will find love and beauty in it and want to reciprocate that love we receive from Earth.

We have to help them create those “A-ha moments” with it so they can form those connections.

The hope is that we can be one of those sparks that will continue to ignite the flame of appreciation and understanding for all that the natural world has to offer.

Or, if nothing else, just enjoy the absolute best day ever!