KAZE NOKO Forest Preschool

Nature and creatures in Japan 🧚‍♀️
"Forest school is not just a job, it's a life style choice." someone once told me and I totally see that.
I cannot stop noticing power of nature and its magic although I'm on my sabbatical year.

KAZE-NOKO Forest preschool family program is back again this fall in collaboration with BGC Dawson, and wonderful facilitators from Raconte-moi une forêt , and Lilareed Forest Preschool ! The Tuesday program starts on September 16! The Saturday program is on September 20! For more information and registration, please check out BGC Dawson website! Early Childhood Education Programs | Register | BGC Dawson Store https://share.google/Gu75fcAJcXseX0LkC

🚨 family program postponed to Sunday June 8 🚨
due to poor air quality expected to continue tomorrow morning!
I hope to see you on Sunday!

***postponed to Sunday June 8, due to poor air quality expected tomorrow morning***

Family forest school program this Saturday June 7 right by the verdun beach slides 9:30 to 11:30!
Come make splashes and share the joys of being outside with us 🦆🐌🌞❤️
For more information please visit the BGC Dawson website!

https://app.amilia.com/store/en/bgcdawson/shop/activities/5962881?date=2025-06-07&view=month&scrollToCalendar=false

The Tuesday family program spring 2025 term is starting next Tuesday, April 15 🌱🌱🌱
It's 100% Free play and outdoor based ☔☀️
Come meet families who value outdoor plays as much as you do ❤️
Thank you for your collaboration in this important mission of taking children and family outdoors in nature!
For more information please visit https://app.amilia.com/store/en/bgcdawson/shop/activities/5926730

The weekend program info coming up soon (first one on April 26 😉)

The first two weeks of the spring term was a complete mishmash of the weather! Snow, rain, sunshine, fog, freezing rain, freezing temperatures and warm sunshine...
On the day one, we started in our full on winter gear.
Today, one of us ended up in a T-shirt! Lol.

One thing that was very consistent throughout the two weeks... We had FUN regardless of the temperature, ground condition, rain or shine !
Children truly can find the joy in every weather if they are given opportunities.
so let's take them outside ❤️❤️❤️

It's the first time I'm offering the winter term after a couple of years of skipping them being unsure about how I could keep the children warm...
I am so glad I decided to try it this year!
It's been a cold winter compared to the last one. But we got lots of snow and the children are having a blast even on the -20 c days ❤️

It's the combination of having proper winter gear, thanks to their supportive families, and their physical and mental stamina that they gained over the years exploring nature and engaging in risky play 💪

They can easily take a long hike, engage in active play and run all the way back to the base camp! No time to get chilly at all!

So very proud of you all, KAZE-NOKO superstars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Come and boost your outdoor time with us this Saturday!
Yes, it's cold because it's winter ❄️ If we teach children to dress for the weather, and have fun in winter, you boost their mental health and immune system drastically ❤️

And it has begun...
Hours of snow play fun !
We ran and spun until we were all done ❄️

When we learn to enjoy winter playing with snow and poking ice, the coldest and the darkest time of the year becomes the most wonderful time of the year!

It's a great way to boost our moods, and immune system too!

We also learn to appreciate simple things like having a home to warm up after getting chilly toes ❤️

Dear Fall,
Thank you for staying nice and long this year and sharing beautiful colors, and warm sunshine!
We had tons and tons of fun with you ❤️
It's too bad you have to leave but we are looking forward to getting to know your cousin, Winter!
I hope they'll bring fluffy white snow with them !

Love

From KAZE-NOKO

This is how DAP (Developmentally Aligned/appropriate Practice) looks like in KAZE-NOKO forest preschool.
Each child has their unique interests and their own challenges. Some might be ready to climb a tree, others might not. They may climb as high as they feel comfortable, or jump off.
I do not decide what they can or cannot TRY based on their ages.

It takes many trials and errors, observations, problem solving and more trials and errors to know what is comfortable, and manageable to "oneself".
If we know them, trust them, and give them a chance to try, they are very good at figuring out what they are capable of or not.
If they are not even given an opportunity to make a mistake, how are they going to learn?
Same goes for sticks, and ropes.
I don't tell them they are too young to handle them.
They will tell me, verbally or nonverbally, what they are ready for ❤️

KAZE-NOKO forest preschool family program in collaboration with has kicked off last Saturday! We did lots of splashing, climbing, chilling and chatting by the river 🦆 🦆 🦆
Next one is on Oct 5!
Today was the first Tuesday group meeting and thanks to an experienced facilitator many families had a lovely time together by the willow trees exploring nature❤️

Thank you, BGC Dawson for offering the program and helping the outdoor play community in verdun grow! 🌲 🌲 🌲