We've all heard the saying: "It takes a village to raise a child." It's a universal truth that parenting is not a solo journey but a collective effort, relying on the support, guidance, and camaraderie of those around us.
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As parents, we often find ourselves balancing the desire to shield our children from discomfort with the necessity of fostering resilience and character. One often-overlooked avenue for building these essential traits is the simple act of letting our children play outside, even in the chillier months.
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Seasonal changes can bring about many different feelings, and anxiety is sometimes one of those feelings.
The key is acknowledging it rather than ignoring it because there are practical ways to address it. One approach is to stay connected with nature.
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Let’s discuss how the benefits of open/free/or self-guided play in nature are uniquely valuable and different from structured play.
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As the air continues to clear in the North East and New Yorkers return to regularly scheduled Summer outdoor activities, let’s take a minute to reflect on the urgent matter of climate change.
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When we started our classes, we were very much aware of the developmental benefits for children. However, one of the surprising discoveries was that we, as educators, also experienced numerous benefits.
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Maybe you remember making mud pies as a child. You may not have been aware of anything other than how fun it was, but that classic playtime has many other benefits…
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Most of us are aware as kids get older that, they need space to run, spread out, and have fun outdoors, but what about when children are smaller or less mobile?
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It’s no secret that children learn through play, and there are numerous types of play.
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One of the most critical aspects of effective learning is engagement.
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By now, we’re all aware of the mental health benefits of spending time in nature. If the anecdotal experience wasn’t enough, study after study shows that children and adults who spend time in nature experience reduced stress and increased endorphins, making us happier. Well…
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When we talk about the natural world as the third teacher, besides offering challenging terrain and varying weather, she’s also a historian, a griot
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Sometimes we forget that our brain and cognition abilities are part of our bodily functions. Many approaches to education indeed seem disembodied.
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These fluctuating and sometimes surprising outdoor experiences teach us many lessons, and even young children have the ability to ask keen questions and make deep observations.
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Here’s how we’ve prepared our winter class structure to be mindful that we New Yorkers may not have inherited the same cultural traditions as the Danes for being outdoors in cold weather…
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