What does a typical day look like?
We will meet together at our designated pick up spot (Jericho Parking Lot East) at the start of class, 9:00am. No need to rush: we understand it can be tricky getting toddlers out the door! We stay at this favourite playscape for the first chunk of class to ensure a calm and communicative drop-off routine. Here, we set up a picnic blanket and children are eased in with a playful activity: nature themed puzzles, matching games, and musical instruments are some of our favourites! After warmly welcoming children and checking in with their grown ups, we then go on a little hike to one of our many favourite spots in the forest, by the wetlands, or on the beach! Each day is an exciting new adventure. Together, we’ll discuss the weather and seasonal changes we’re noticing around us today, and enjoy our first snack break.
For the next hour or so, we play! Play is incredibly important for the physical, social, and emotional development of little ones. Play can be creative and imaginative, active and exciting, or calm and inquisitive. We dance and drum with sticks to silly songs and make creative displays of nature art. Whether we are climbing tree stump rocket ships, prowling and hopping like creatures, or mixing up a mud kitchen, we allow a generous portion of our time together for children to lean in to this ever important process of play that they do best.
Storytelling is always a part of our mornings together… we love to ask plenty of questions and be silly along the way! We read a variety of children’s literature that is nature based, and regularly showcase indigenous authors. This is a favourite portion of class time and we are so happy to help foster an early love for books!
Focusing on an appreciation for nature and a budding foundation in scientific literacy, we use the help of the seasons and natural phenomena around us to shape our emergent curriculum. We learn about everything from bones and bugs, to friendship building and food origins! We encourage the curiosity of our young learners and allow for plenty of child-led learning and inquisitiveness. Exploring under logs for wriggling creatures and birdwatching are among our favourite hands-on nature lessons.
We’ll go on short hikes and engage our bodies in plenty of active play! Every day is a little bit different, as we’ll often set up a hammock to swing in, a slack line to balance on, and facilitate plenty of games and activity! We’re happy to help provide a learning environment this is physically, socially, and ecologically enriching for our young learners.
Throughout our class, we gather multiple times for snack and water breaks. Our classes evolve to be adorably chatty, and we to encourage plenty of opportunities for the children to foster that calm social connection of enjoying a picnic together. While we do give reminders and enjoy eating together, we remind little ones to listen to their bodies and eat whenever they feel hungry! It is best to pack a hearty variety of snacks, as most children spend much of class being very physically active.
Afterwards, we pack our backpacks and prepare for our last few mindful moments in the forest together. We take some time to practice quiet forest bathing and encourage a few moments of nature meditation, while we wrap up the day with a social circle time. We gather our bags and leave the forest talking about the wonders we noticed during this calm practice. We say goodbye to the special nature spot we explored today, being mindful to recognize the land and give thanks as we head back to tell our loved ones all about it!