This year, we are piloting a new initiative in Pre-K called “Forest Fours”. On each day four in our cycle, we are going to try to head out into the forest as soon as our entire class is present and we’ve completed our morning jobs. It is our hope that with a more extended period of time in nature, our students will have the opportunity to explore the natural world around them in a very authentic way. The students are free to play, explore, learn, and observe on our nature trails that weave around our beautiful campus.
Today we had our first opportunity to test out “Forest Fours” as the students spent almost 2 hours immersed in nature. We ate snack outside, climbed on our climbing trees, scooped up dirt, invented a new car game, played The Three Billy Goats Gruff, searched for walnuts, and learned new ways to care for the plants and trees on the trail. I’d say it was a success!
This is so wonderful! If only all children could have the experience of authentic nature-based learning. Bravo to you!
This is a pleasure to see. Very inspiring for me as I am just developing an all outdoor preschool program that I hope to start in February.
Thank you! We’re leaning into it with just one day a cycle but it would be so cool to out there even more! Good luck with your program!
I’d love to join you on your forest trails. What a wonderful experience for all. Enjoy!