We created a wildlife friendly pond at Dunkirk Primary School about 2 years ago and its greatly enhanced the Discovery Garden we are working on there. The children - and staff - are fascinated by the tiny creatures, the plant life ("its like dinosaur trees") and the reflections in the water. The school has another pond also in the Nature Garden, so we are incredibly lucky to have two rich wetland areas which all the children can access to enhance their learning about the world around them. Both wetland areas are in spaces used for contemplation and careful considered study of the natural world; children are taken in groups with adults.
There's something incredibly calming and contemplative about being near water. There's so much detail to be discovered and this prompts endless stories, descriptions and questions. Pond creatures are amazing - and it offers children the opportunity to look closely but also carefully and with great consideration and respect.
There's wonderful information available online about ponds in wildlife friendly gardens such as Froglife, The Freshwater Habitats Trust and The Wildlife Trusts.