Enabling Environments: Outdoors - Feet first

Children at Dimson Day Nursery in Gunnislake, Cornwall, so enjoyed the experience of a barefoot trail that they are planning to create one of their own. They discovered a multi-sensory treat for their feet when they explored the Tamar Valley Barefoot Trail at Gulworthy, Devon.

The trail invites children to take off their socks and shoes and go on a self-led adventure across tree bark, conkers, fishing nets, rope, wool, apple pulp, leaves, straw and river mud.

The idea behind the temporary trail, created for the Tamar Trails festival last autumn, was to teach visitors about the area's industrial and natural history by using materials and textures that interpreted the landscape and character of the valley.

Chrissy Wallis, the artist who created the trail, says, 'The occupations of the valley provided me with the ideas for the ingredients, fishing, mining, gardening, farming and forestry all informed the surfaces.

'I wanted people to have a sensual experience and not just to look at the ingredients for what they are, but the bigger picture - where they had come from and how natural grains, bark and objects that you wouldn't normally walk on, such as hazelnuts, feel under your feet.'

Flo Longhorn, principal consultant on the project and an author in special education, explains, 'Walking barefoot along a trail engages the sensory systems to work together, enhancing and enriching the experience for children. Trails engage all the senses. Children experience a richness of smells from the earth, the taste of wild herbs, the feel of ice-cold water and grass, the change of scenery as the trail is followed, and the sounds of nature, trampling feet and slushy mud.'

She adds that walking barefoot is also believed to improve circulation and helps with balance and movement, as well as promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being.

PLEASANT SURPRISE

Fran Walker, interpretation officer at the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who came up with the idea, says, 'Our prime audience for the project was children. The barefoot trail is ideal, as they are lot of fun, messy and exciting and help promote sensory experiences.'

Ms Walker's son attends Dimson Day Nursery, which is located near the Tamar Valley. She invited the children to test the trail ahead of its launch.

'Some of the children were really apprehensive when they saw the trail - they didn't know what to expect and thought that the materials might hurt or sting them,' she says. 'It was really interesting seeing how the children's movements and their faces changed as they walked along the trail and became more confident.'

Patricia French, owner of Dimson Day Nursery, says that the children enjoyed the barefoot trail so much that it was difficult for staff to get them to come back to nursery. 'We had to literally drag the children away!'

As well as presenting a fun and exciting opportunity for play, the barefoot trail, Ms French believes, is extremely beneficial for children's development and learning. 'The trail covers all areas of the curriculum,' she says. 'It helps children connect with nature, because they are engaged and encouraged to ask questions about the environment. It develops their senses. And then there is the hygiene aspect, which teaches the children how important it is to wash their hands and feet after they have walked the trail.'

Nursery staff involved in the activity also found that children experienced how to share and resolve conflict while walking the trail.

The staff were so impressed with the Tamar Barefoot Trail that they have decided to build their own permanent route in the nursery's outdoor area this summer.

'The trail will be about six yards long and change with the seasons,' says Ms French. 'We will use leaves in the autumn and fleece sheared from our sheep in the spring.'

To comply with health and safety regulations, the nursery will provide children with washing facilities where they can clean their hands and feet after walking the trail, reinforcing messages about hygiene.

The nursery hopes to include the children in the whole process of their barefoot trail, from designing the route to building it, using logs and locally sourced materials. This is expected to make the experience even more special for them.

'Children can learn so much from a barefoot trail,' says Ms French. 'I would recommend other settings creating their own trail, as they are ideal for nurseries and pre-schools who have limited outdoor space and a small budget. Settings don't need a lot of money to create a trail; it's what you put into it that counts.'

ANOTHER WAY

Trentham Barfuss Walk, Stoke-on-Trent

Barefoot trails are thought to have originated in Germany in the last century. The barefoot trail at Trentham Gardens Adventure and Play is the first permanent one in Britain. The 1,000m route takes visitors over timber, bark, mulch, pebbles, wood, mud, water, grass and soil. The trail is open to all ages and designed to stimulate the senses and promote nature. It is open daily except Christmas day. For details go to http://trentham.co.uk/barefoot_walk.html

MORE INFORMATION

www.tamarvalley.org.uk

Tamar Barefoot Trail video, www.youtube.com/user/ruthoztraveller