02/06/2026
Pine Pals:
Protecting play since 2020, and staying true to our philosophy: We believe children are capable members of a community who are eager to learn through play and discovery within a safe environment infused with natural elements and nurturing to curiosity, confidence, creativity, independence, and inclusion. We believe high-quality childhood experiences result from strong, healthy relationships with caregivers who are valued as lifelong learners.
We believe in meeting children where they are, and fostering a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
"In Minnesota, early education includes children from birth through age eight, covering the crucial early elementary grades of kindergarten into third grade. Every child is ready to learn and it’s not a child's responsibility to be 'school-ready'; instead, it's the collective responsibility of adults, schools, programs, environments, communities, and systems to be ready to support each child's unique needs." (https://education.mn.gov/mde/fam/elsprog/)
"Through play, children re-live experiences that are in their control in their environment. Yes, children develop language, social skills, problem-solving abilities, and self-regulation. These all support more challenging experiences while building resilience that readies them for more intense learning later on. It is through these foundational experiences that they become ready for the academic demands of later grades. This foundation provided through opportunities for agency, autonomy and activity is a critical and frequently missing piece in the early experiences of children." (https://curatingplay.com/why-push-down-academics-hurt-young-children-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/)
