Soft Starts and Sit Spots

Each morning, the Emerald Elk begin their day by placing their backpacks in their cubbies before heading to their sit spot—a personal place in nature where they spend ten quiet minutes observing their surroundings. By sitting quietly in the same spot, a person cultivates awareness and attunes to their surroundings. This practice, often used by naturalists, serves as a form of active meditation, deepening their ecological and inner awareness. This daily ritual not only fosters a deeper connection with the natural world but also helps learners center themselves, preparing them for a day of learning and exploring. 

In a conventional school, this practice is referred to as a soft start, a morning routine designed to create a calm, welcoming transition into the school day. By engaging in activities like puzzles, reading, drawing, or mindfulness, learners can reset, reduce anxiety, and ease into academic work with a clearer mindset. The Emerald Elk take a meditative and ecological spin on the soft start by practicing it as a sit spot. 

The Emerald Elk finds their personal sit spot in the woods surrounding the Loz, the building that houses our cubbies. Over the past few months they have observed the changes in our outdoor classroom as they visit their sit spot. By returning to the same spot each time, they become attuned to small details as well. Sometimes learners rejoin the group with discoveries like deer bones, feathers, or other nature curiosities. In the recent wintery weather, learners remark at the changing freezing and thawing of ice covering the ground. During the Fall, learners noticed the incremental changes of leaves dropping or fungus sprouting up overnight on warmer days. They hear a variety of bird songs like blue jays, tufted titmice, and sometimes even hawks. This practice helps learners develop resilience, a deeper connection with nature, and build a sense of community with shared observations.  

In our fast-paced, tech-saturated world, most people could benefit from a soft start sit spot to begin their day, not just the Emerald Elk. Imagine how you would feel and what you might notice, if you took a few minutes each morning to sit in the same spot and just be present.