How Experiential Learning Is Shaping Future-Ready Kids In Bansko

estled in the tranquil Pirin Mountains of Bansko, Bulgaria, a group of children are discovering the joys of a nature-based learning space called Seedlings. Seedlings is a new and exciting project for nature and art lovers, catering to world-schoolers aged 5-12.

The children get to experience the wonders of nature, engage in gardening by planting and harvesting, and participate in adventure activities and crafts.

Seedlings is run by Michelle, a resident of Obidim, a qualified Transpersonal Art Counsellor and Creative Arts Facilitator, who has worked on community-based projects with adults and children in the UK. 

The concept of Seedlings started in the summer of 2021.

Seedlings aims to encourage creative play and learning through the socialization and exploration of children into compassionate, resilient, and well-rounded individuals while having a lot of fun!

*Obidim is part of the Bansko Municipality - kind of a top mountain ridge neighborhood with a spectacular history

The Art of Unrewarded Accomplishments

One of the most admirable facets of the learning environment in Bansko's garden is the absence of traditional rewards. In today's world, where 'incentives' and 'certificates' often dominate the achievement narrative, this garden confines recognition to the satisfaction of a well-done job.

Children don't receive tangible rewards for their efforts, and in this space, the value of endeavour is not tied to external validations. 

Teaching children the joy of doing things for the sheer pleasure of it is a rare art. In the garden, the thrill doesn't come from what's promised after the task but from the task itself.

It's an invaluable life lesson that the meaning of work transcends its material outcomes—a lesson that prepares them for a world where contentment can be found in the work as much as in its fruits.

The Present in Presence

Michelle shares that amidst the whispers of nature and work, the children in Bansko embody mindfulness in the present moment without the weight of the past or future.

Engaged in activities requiring their full attention, they offer a masterclass in being present, essential for better concentration, stress management, and human connections.

Adults can learn this lesson in the presence of children, as they showcase the importance of living in the moment.

 Kids exist in present times, different from adults who want to stay in multiple places. - Michelle Moore.

Fostering Independence through Experiential Learning

The principles of experiential learning go far beyond the garden's boundaries. Each activity allows children to lead and take charge of their knowledge from planting to harvest.

Unlike traditional classroom settings, where the teacher's voice often reigns supreme, in Seedlings, kids decide. They are the captains of their ships, navigating the waters of education under the dual guidance of nature and nurture.

Independence is not just about making decisions; it's about learning from the weight of responsibility. Giving children the reins teaches them to anchor their sails, which is crucial for the storms they will brave in adulthood. 

Kids were gentle with plants; you could see fantastic work between the kids, even as young as two years old. - Michelle Moore

The Safety of Learning from One's Falls

The garden is not without its risks—failing seeds and pests bring a taste of life's unpredictability into the classroom. But here, failure is not feared; it is a respected teacher.

This risk-taking perspective starkly contrasts today's culture, where the primary focus is often on avoiding failure. 

They learn resilience by allowing children to experiment freely and care for something that might not thrive. It's a practical yet profound preparation for life's inevitable setbacks. 

Microbes and the Bigger Picture

Understanding the role of microbes in soil health is a lesson in the interconnectedness of life. It's a metaphor for the principles that govern our interactions with each other and the planet.

Understanding the 'bigger picture' is vital for budding gardeners and future changemakers. 

Children living in urban areas may only sometimes understand the origins of their food. They consume pre-packaged meals and snacks, making it challenging to comprehend the process behind food production.

However, developing a connection with their food, understanding how it affects them, and comprehending the process can complete the cycle and help them understand how they relate to their food.

Families Cooking from Scratch

The real-life application of knowledge only gets more real than preparing and sharing meals with the very produce children have nurtured.

It's a practice that has the potential to transform how families view food and its origins, leading to healthier and more conscientious dining choices.

Its a powerful progam for kids, where they are managing all the tasks themselves. Kids are learning the entire process of planting, growing and harvesting, how ot cook food and later enjoy the food together. - Andreas Wil Gerdes

Beyond School, Beyond the Classroom

In the garden of Bansko, education is an experience, and experience is education. It's a curriculum designed by life, where each interaction is a potential lesson ripe for the picking.

It's a model that emphasizes learning as a continuous process, stressed to the walls of a school or the hours of a day.

Sometimes, kids only need a little instruction; they need space. Space to explore, wonder, and figure things out on their own. Such is the philosophy embraced during Bansko's mountain time. It's the space that fosters creativity, independence, and, most importantly, a love for learning.

Families can stay and cook from scratch. It's not a school; it's an experience of learning in a safe space. - Michelle Moore.

The Holistic Approach to Learning

The lessons we learn in childhood form the foundation of our adult lives. A holistic approach to education encompasses academic growth and emotional and social development—is imperative. In Bansko, this holistic approach is not an ideology; it's a way of life.

 Kids were so present with each other; they were so much conscious. Kids love to take charge. - Michelle Moore

Nourishing the Future with Today's Lessons

Learning spaces like these, with their simple, profound teachings, are a testament to how schools and learning environments can shape enlightened citizens of the future.

By sowing the seeds of life skills alongside those of plants, we nurture a knowledgeable, resilient, independent, and conscious generation.

In conclusion, teaching children life lessons in the garden of Bansko isn't just about fostering young minds; it's about nourishing future leaders, compassionate humans, and earth stewards.

It's a reminder that life's lessons are not always found in textbooks or classrooms but in the very fabric of our existence.

It is more than a green space; it's a canvas for the art of teaching children about life. It's an art that echoes through the joyous laughter of children, the rustle of leaves, and the silent growth of tiny seeds—life's truths planted deep within the hearts of these youngsters.

The message is clear to parents, educators, and family travellers—life's most profound lessons can be taught in the most straightforward settings. It's an invitation to explore beyond the conventional and discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.

It's an awakened understanding that the classroom of life is the most illuminating of them all and that teachers of all ages can learn from their pupils.

The scenery may change, but the principles remain the same. Whether in the mountains of Bulgaria or the heart of a bustling metropolis, the lessons about life can be sown and reaped anywhere that we plant the seeds of tomorrow.

Special thanks to Michelle and Andreas for sharing this beautiful alternative learning  experience with the world.

Here's to a future where our children are rooted in self-awareness, connected to nature, and empowered to lead with wisdom and compassion.  

Let us all take inspiration from Bansko and nurture the garden of learning within ourselves, and in the generations to come.