A Place For Wonder
"If it hasn't been in the hand and the body, it can't be in the brain" Bev Bos
APFW is a secular, play and nature-based program for early childhood. The amount of time spent outdoors will be at least 50% a day or more, weather permitting. The child led activities indoors and outdoors will focus on nature which allows for guided risk taking, inquiry-based learning, physical benefits, social skills, emotional growth for self and others and environmental stewardship. Nature and the child are the curriculum.
We know that unstructured and uninterrupted time in nature brings about more creative and imaginative play. Nature schools naturally focus on experiential learning techniques in the subjects of art, literacy, science, math, engineering, and writing. Nature/forest school pedagogy nurtures a child’s independence, sense of community and emotional intelligence.
Our nature school teaching philosophy is based in the education of the whole child and does not focus on unreasonable and competitive academic milestones. Each and every child develops at a different rate and we will not use comparative and rigid standards with children.
The benefits for play based, emergent learning in a nature school are incredible. This non traditional approach is meant to allow children to follow their interests by having uninterrupted and unstructured playtime. They will follow their curiosities of the world around them, which promotes sustained concentration and a desire for depth of knowledge. In nature and using nature as a teacher, learning is primarily experiential (hands-on). This type of learning nurtures a child's independence, which includes opportunities for risky play, a huge benefit of a nature school. Unstructured play in nature or even indoors, promotes independent thinking, problem solving, cognitive flexibility, creativity, emotional intelligence and coordination with others including negotiation.
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Studies show that the following outcomes for children engaged in nature skills include:
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Increased psychological well-being
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Reduction in depression, anxiety and stress
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Decreased occurrences of obesity and asthma
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Better spatial skills
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Enhanced resilience
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Heightened critical thinking and problem solving
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Increased empathy, leadership, and communication skills
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Increased retention of subjects due to direct contact of material
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Stronger connection to nature
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Increased environmental values