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Cultivating awe, wonder and curiosity: Finding the joy in nature!
The early years approach to the Morecambe Bay Curriculum is driven by psychological research which emphasises the importance of curiosity-driven learning, question-asking, a sense of wonder and creativity.
Using everything from teddy bears to technology, we encourage children to get outdoors, so they can stop, take notice and find new ways of seeing the world.
Eden Bear has been very busy visiting over 280 nurseries, early years settings and childminders since 2019. Eden’s aim is to learn more about Morecambe Bay, to understand what our youngest residents believe makes it so special and to hear about children’s hopes for the future of the Bay.
Throughout 2025 and 2026 the MBC Early Years Working Group have been exploring the theme of ‘Health and Wellbeing’, building on the visits Eden Bear has been making to early years settings. This has resulted in a pack of cards designed to help Early Years practitioners explore topics including; getting adventurous outdoors, caring for our mental health and the importance of food.
Thank you to the Early Years Working Group for creating these and to Lancashire County Council for supporting with additional funding.
View and Download the cards here
Eden Bear Books - Read more about Eden’s adventures, and get inspiration for your own Eden Bear book.
Clarence the Carthorse Story - Enjoy the Clarence the Carthorse story which accompanies Eden on visits to settings.
Aligning with the EYFS Statutory Framework and Early Learning Goals, Lancaster University researchers have been working alongside early years practitioners. Together they have developed educational resources that link to cutting-edge research on topics such as curiosity, artistic practice and ecology.
Explore the resources below, designed to be adaptable to different settings:
Developed by: Helen Baines, Sandcastles Nursery and Dr Marina Bazhydai, LU
Strolling our promenade’s eye-catching features targets children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder. This resource supports well-being and resilience in times of change. Through simple hands-on activities build a sense of relationship and connectedness to a place, whilst advancing little ones’ knowledge of their local coastline and nature-based solutions!
Empowering Future Change-Makers Overview
Empowering Future Change-Makers Resources - Free Dropbox Download
Developed by: Jo Young, Great Wood Primary and Dr Karen Lloyd
Predicated on the simple questions ‘Who lives here?’ (birds, invertebrates) What kinds of things should be here?’ (pebbles, seaweeds, mud) and ‘What should not be here?’ (plastics)’ let little ones take a trip into the weird and wonderful world of Morecambe Bay’s muddy sediments. Teeming with hidden life, learn to use ‘who,’ rather than ‘what’ to nurture an early sense of empathy with other living beings amongst the vast mudflats that meet the edge of the Bay.
Developed by: Joanne Daly, LU Nursery and Dr Marina Bazhydai, LU
MBC dog, Baxter. He wants to take you and your learners on an exploration of local natural environments and blue and green spaces in the Bay. Whilst you enrich and widen children’s vocabulary, you’ll also be fostering positive connections to nature and pride in place. Whilst exploring coastal habitats, you’ll meet animals and local communities, experience local ecology and learn about tidal changes.
Developed by: Becs Ensoll and Ruth Squires, South Walney Infant and Nursery School and Dr Nathan Jones, LU
Why not go on a journey to discover our natural world through the perspectives of others? In this resource you will enable your learners to think in “more-than-human”ways. Delve into art and nature to help make meaningful connections with the world around them.
Allow your learners to discuss and respond to diverse art to inspire their thinking and creativity. Children will make personal connections with their locality whilst engaging in expressive art practice that promotes kinship with their environment.
Near and Far, High and Tiny Overview
Near and Far, High and Tiny Resources - Free Dropbox Download
