For Children 4 by May 1st; Children that are 5 by September 1st are eligible for scholarships.
Play is the work of the young child. Through play, children explore the world, develop essential skills, and learn about themselves and others. When this play occurs in natural settings, the benefits multiply, fostering physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development.
It is through play that they engage their senses, ignite their curiosity, and build their understanding of the world. During play, children experiment with roles and scenarios, learning to navigate social interactions and develop empathy. They learn to take turns, negotiate, and resolve conflicts, which are crucial skills for their social development. Cognitive development is equally enriched as children engage in activities that require planning, critical thinking, and creativity.
When play takes place in nature, its benefits are even more profound. Natural settings offer a dynamic, ever-changing environment that stimulates children’s senses and inspires their imagination. The sound of leaves rustling, the sight of a butterfly flitting by, the feel of mud between fingers—these experiences are rich and varied, unlike any indoor environment.
Nature play encourages children to be active and adventurous. Climbing trees, walking on uneven surfaces, and balancing on logs enhance their physical strength, coordination, and balance. These activities also promote risk-taking and problem-solving, helping children develop resilience and confidence.
Being in nature has a calming effect on children. The natural environment reduces stress and anxiety, fostering emotional well-being. It provides a sense of freedom and wonder that cannot be replicated indoors. Children who spend time in nature are often happier, more focused, and better able to handle life’s challenges.
They also develop a deep appreciation for the environment. They learn to respect and care for the natural world, understanding their role in preserving it. This early connection can foster a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
At this age, the child is acting out of imitation, thus they experience a wide range of activities, including handwork, beeswax modeling, coloring, domestic work, watercolor painting, storytelling, puppetry, plant dyeing, woodworking, gardening, singing & creative movement, nature observation, and more, naturally, as they see their teachers engaging in various meaningful activities.
To enhance listening skills, simple songs and games are shared in English as well as foreign languages. Stories shared help the children to develop the ability to create mental images based on what they are hearing, which lays the groundwork for reading comprehension later on. Most importantly, they are learning how to be within a group – this includes compromise, conflict resolution, negotiation – the skills they will need throughout their lifetime.
Like all of our programs, this class takes place outside.
The class adopts a daily, weekly and yearly rhythm, which brings the children great comfort – knowing what to expect and anticipate, so each day becomes known by the activity they do and/or the lunch they eat, for example Monday is “Painting Day, Tuesday is” Handwork Day” and so on.
All snacks are organic; water and herbal teas are offered to drink.
The children take seasonal field trips, such as Crowley Museum and Nature Center or other Forest Days. A typical day in the Owlets class goes as follows:
8:30 Children arrive
8:30-9:00 Circle Time
9:00-10:20 Activity/focused time of the day/ Project- time
10:20-10:30 Clean up time
10:30-10:45 Bathroom turn/wash hands
10:45 -11:15: Shared meal together
11:15 -12:00 Free play/projects
12:00-12:15 Cleanup
12:15-12:30 Storytime/puppet play
12:30-12:45 Lunch
12:45-1:00 Pick up
For those staying for Little Siesta Aftercare:
1:00 – 1:15 Transition in/wash hands/bathroom turn
1:15 – 2:15 Rest
2:15-2:30 Goodbye song/Pick up