BY ERIN PAGE . PHOTOS PROVIDED. 5 things to know about N atu r e School Nature Schools • •
AT NATURE FIELD CREATIVE ACADEMY (ABOVE) AND LITTLE LEAF PLAY- GARDEN (BELOW) THE OUTDOORS IS AN EXTENSION OF THE CLASSROOM.
The popularity and presence of nature schools is growing exponentially across the nation, and the trend is catching on in the OKC metro as well. But is a nature school right for your child? We asked the directors of three local nature schools how their programs differ from traditional schools. Marked by small classroom sizes, longer lunch times, plenty of time spent outdoors and individualized curriculum, teachers in these schools seek to provide developmentally-appropriate education. Editor’s note: Our panel included Abigail Ramirez, founder of Nature Field Creative Academy (NFCA) in Moore, Emma Yeung, founder of Little Leaf Playgarden in Oklahoma City, and Jenny Dunning, owner/ founder and director of development at Keystone Adventure School in Edmond.
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Little Leaf Playgarden students spend hours playing outdoors every morning, which Yeung says allows kids to independently and confidently expand creativity through play. She sees the benefits to her students especially in their risk assessment capabilities. “If we trust in the children, they know their own capabilities and strengths and weaknesses,” said Yeung, relating specifically to kids climbing trees. “We [should] inspire kids to trust their own instincts.” Yeung says play is especially critical in kids’ first six to seven years, building a foundation for later academic success. “Studies show exposure [to nature] consistently for an extended amount of time helps memory and social skills,” said Ramirez. Dunning says the sensations kids experience through their bare feet inspires neurological organization, helping kids retain and apply what they are learning. “It gives them an anchor and more clarity as to where they fit into world,” said Dunning. “Unstructured time and space allow for the biggest epiphanies in learning.” 2 • Unstructured play time, especially outdoors, is key to foundational learning.
Curriculum is child-led.
At Nature Field Creative Academy, teachers first observe students in order to understand their interests and how they learn, then develop curriculum. For example, student discussions about blood and snot turned into curriculum incorporating dramatic play, math and reading related to the human body. At Keystone Adventure School, students care for barnyard animals, build structures with power tools and have a voice in everything from what they’re learning to the names of newborn animals. “Once they understand they are are in charge, they are lifelong learners,” said Dunning. “Children are much more likely to stay with something when they are invested and feel they have a voice.” These schools ensure students aren’t being introduced to academic concepts before they are developmentally ready. “Parents think ‘my child should be prepared to read by kindergarten,’ but as educators we know the window for being ready to read is all the way to third grade,” said Ramirez. The same philosophy applies to behavior. “Kids developmentally shouldn’t be sitting for long periods of time,” said Ramirez. “Those are expectations kids aren’t able to meet; their bodies can’t do what you are asking of them.”
Find out which metro public schools are incorporating nature into curriculum and learn more about metro nature schools, including programming open to the community at www.metrofamilymagazine.com/nature-schools.
6 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / JANUARY 2020
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