Writing haikus outdoors in nature and observing the natural phenomena around us offers a myriad of benefits for students (and ourselves!). It allows our students to immerse themselves in nature, capturing the essence of a singular moment through poetry, fostering creativity through attuning to their environment. By connecting this practice to the John Muir Award, which promotes engagement with wild places, students can deepen their understanding and appreciation for the natural world and their own connection with the present moment. It is this connection with the present moment that is essential to regulating our nervous systems, bringing our awareness to our bodies, our senses, and our own inner sense of calm.
The journey of connection with nature encourages students to slow down, observe, and truly engage with the natural world. They begin to notice the intricate details that often go unnoticed – the play of light on the sea, the gentle crunch of sand underfoot, the scent of seaweed; the texture of the rock that they are perched on. This connection cultivates a sense of awe, wonder, and appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the environment surrounding them.
With a concise structure and strict syllable count of the haiku (5-7-5), they have the opportunity to explore their creativity within defined parameters; the page is not an overwhelming blank space, but a series of sounds and rhythms to play with. By drawing inspiration from nature, students can experiment with language, metaphor, and imagery. This process nurtures their artistic expression and helps to develop fundamental literary skills.
I took two students to Churston Cove, and we both sat for a while amidst the quiet of a December day. I love taking older students to the same place on the same day and seeing how different or similar their haikus are, despite the environment being relatively unchanged. Perhaps on a grey and foggy day, the mist may seem all-encompassing; overwhelming, and difficult to ignore. On a sunny day, we may be able to pay more attention to the movements around us; the sound of gulls, or the children playing on the shore.
When students link the practice of writing haikus outdoors to the John Muir Award, their poetic expressions align with the award programme’s goals. The John Muir Award encourages individuals to discover, explore, conserve, and share wild places. Through haikus, students can document their encounters with the natural world, share their experiences with others, and contribute to the conservation narrative. This connection amplifies the significance of their experiences, deepening a connection with nature, and hopefully, that all-important mind-body connection too.
