Forest Kindergarten Education Model
Natural Science
When children’s authentic curiosity leads to their own experiential nature observations and discoveries, it encourages scientific experimentation and conclusion; lessons are understood more fully and the information retained more deeply.
Nature Therapy
Nature Nuts learn how to self-soothe with nature, experiencing firsthand how nature can be a healing salve that calms and relaxes.
Environmental Stewardship
The compassion-scaffolding in every lesson cultivates in children the ability to retain and develop the sense of nurturing they are born with.
Nature Nuts approach promotes children’s connection with nature
Our curriculum is based on several schools of thought including total nature immersion, interest-led flow learning, emergent curriculum, place-based focus, inquiry based focus, and authentic play as developed by internationally acclaimed Forest Kindergarten teacher Erin Kenny. Many of the teaching strategies used are also adapted from Wilderness Awareness School's approach to mentoring children in nature.
Children are invited to use any of our authentic naturalist tools and equipment such as binoculars, butterfly nets, plant presses and magnifying glasses. We also have a collection of Native American and nature artifacts which children are encouraged to explore with all their senses including feathers, cones, rocks, animal furs, bones, nests, skulls, cedar baskets, etc.
These critical factors for a successful forest kindergarten program are followed:
Attentive monitoring of children’s basic requirements: clothing, hunger, safety, and bathroom needs
Right teachers - Fully modeling and embracing nature pedagogy & respect for all of life
Creation of healthy community involvement and relations with teachers, families, caregivers, children, the land and wider community
Careful and continuing assessment of risks and hazards.
New experiences
Our instructors guide students into experiences that nurture their connection to nature and build skills that will serve them for a lifetime. These experiences also build important social and academic skills.
Nature Nuts follows The Cedarsong Way®:
Nature Nuts is proud to be an Accredited Cedarsong® School. Cedarsong Nature School is an award-winning leader in the U.S. Forest Kindergarten movement and has received international accolades for its groundbreaking work. Schools that are Certified as Accredited Cedarsong Schools are verified to be using The Cedarsong Way teaching methodology including a commitment to nature immersion and unstructured free play; flow learning; inquiry-based teaching; emergent curriculum and documentation of the learning. Schools that are Accredited Cedarsong Schools have proven to be operating at the same high level of excellence as the original Cedarsong Nature School. Cedarsong Accreditation is your assurance of the best quality outdoor education program.
All Weather Nature Immersion time every day; there is no indoor space.
Child-led Flow Learning
Inquiry-based Teaching Style
Child-inspired, Child-directed documentation of Emergent Curriculum
Place-based Education in a permanent location.
Small class sizes (8), low 1:4 teacher to child ratio
Cedarsong Nature School is an award-winning leader in the U.S. Forest Kindergarten movement and has received international accolades for its groundbreaking work.
Subjects Studied:
Forest ecosystems, Biology, Botany, Ethnobotany, Entomology, Ornithology, Zoology, Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Math, Physics, Music, Drama, Art and Literacy.
Life and Kindergarten readiness skills gained in our Forest Kindergarten program:
Willingness to take risks
Creativity
Respect for others
Empathy
Physical stamina
Self-regulation
Perseverance
Imagination
Problem-solving
Critical thinking
Divergent thinking
Self-motivation
Excitement about learning
Risk & hazard assessment
Peer communication
Emotional balance
Self-confidence
Self-awareness
Conflict resolution
Negotiation
Teamwork
Compassion
Kindness
Resilience