Seasonal farm activities continue to provide students with hands-on opportunities to build practical skills, engage their senses, and participate in daily routines that emphasize responsibility, care, and connection to the natural world. Even as temperatures drop, the farm remains an integral part of Shrub Oak’s transdisciplinary approach, blending sensory learning, life skills, and environmental awareness into everyday experiences.
During the winter season, students take part in projects that highlight both creativity and purposeful work. One such activity involves making lavender sachets, a task that combines fine motor practice with calming sensory input. Handling dried lavender engages the senses of touch and smell, while measuring, filling, and assembling the sachets supports sequencing, focus, and independence. These activities are carefully structured to meet students where they are, allowing participation at varying levels while reinforcing confidence and accomplishment.
Sensory exploration also remains a central component of winter farm programming. Students enjoy interacting with farm-themed sensory bins filled with natural materials such as mulch. These bins offer rich tactile input and open-ended exploration, supporting regulation and sensory integration during a season when outdoor time may be more limited. Sensory play on the farm mirrors real-world textures and environments, helping students generalize skills and experiences beyond the classroom.
Animal care continues year-round, and winter introduces important lessons about seasonal needs and adaptation. Students assist with preparing treats for the birds by making simple treat shakers, an activity that supports hand-eye coordination, following directions, and cooperative work. More importantly, these tasks reinforce empathy and an understanding of how animals rely on consistent care, particularly during harsher weather conditions.
As part of daily winter routines, students also help ensure that farm animals are safe and comfortable in cold temperatures. This includes assisting staff with preparing the birds for snow and ice by applying a protective layer of petroleum jelly to ducks’ sensitive webbed feet. This practice helps prevent cracking and irritation caused by ice and freezing ground. Through this process, students learn about animal anatomy, seasonal health needs, and the importance of preventative care, all while participating in meaningful, real-world tasks.
Winter farm activities at Shrub Oak International School are intentionally designed to be accessible, engaging, and educational. They offer students consistent structure and purpose during the colder months while reinforcing skills such as cooperation, communication, sensory regulation, and responsibility. By maintaining active farm programming throughout the winter, Shrub Oak ensures that learning remains experiential and connected to the environment year-round, providing students with valuable opportunities to grow through care, routine, and hands-on engagement.
