Little Roots Academy

Hi everyone, I realized that while I share so much of our days here at Little Roots Academy, I have never properly introduced myself.

I’m Ashleigh, founder and lead educator of Little Roots Academy and Rooted to Rise.

These two photos pretty much capture outdoor education life. One day we are navigating 95-degree heat, and a few days later we are layered up in rain gear for a chilly 60-degree downpour. Nature constantly asks us to adapt, slow down, observe, and work with what we are given.

That philosophy extends far beyond education for me. I am deeply passionate about rebuilding connection to nature, community, practical life skills, and self-reliance. While building Little Roots Academy, I have also been slowly building our little homestead and learning how to make do with what we have, right where we are. I believe we do not need perfect land, perfect conditions, or endless resources to begin creating a more connected and intentional life.

My approach to education is rooted in the whole person philosophy. I believe children are not just academic beings, but emotional, physical, social, and spiritual beings as well. Some of the most meaningful learning happens through lived experiences, relationships, challenges, creativity, and connection to the natural world.

Before creating Little Roots Academy, I spent years working in education, including supporting children with diverse learning needs. I hold a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction, but much of what shaped this vision came from observing what children truly need and what modern childhood is often missing.

My goal with Little Roots Academy is to create a childhood rooted in wonder, resilience, practical skills, emotional connection, and community. A place where children can get muddy, take risks, build confidence, care for living things, and experience learning as something alive.

Thank you for being here and supporting this little community as it continues to root and rise

There is something so special about this time of year at Little Roots 🌱

Last week, we spent time preparing our garden together. Small hands in the soil, turning the earth, clearing space, and getting everything ready for what is to come. These moments are simple, but they hold so much meaning.

At Little Roots, this is at the heart of what we do. We are not a school, but a learning community where children and families come together in relationship with the land. Instead of separating learning from real life, we root it in lived experience, in seasons, in care, and in connection.

We are not just planting a garden, we are helping children build a relationship with the earth. They are learning patience, responsibility, and trust in natural rhythms. They are learning that growth takes time, that tending matters, and that what we nurture will eventually bloom.

This is the work we do in partnership with families. Supporting the whole child through meaningful, hands-on experiences that cannot be replicated inside four walls.

Spring invites us into this work. It is a season of awakening, of possibility, of quiet beginnings that will become something more.

As we move into our Spring Break, the work continues behind the scenes. While the children are away, we will be tending to our garden space, preparing it for planting in the coming weeks, and getting ready for the arrival of our chickens.

There is so much life on the horizon here.

We can’t wait to welcome the children back to continue what they’ve started, to care for what they’ve helped build, and to witness the transformation together.

This is Little Roots ♥️

The Spring Equinox marks a moment of balance, where light and dark meet in equal measure. From here, the days begin to grow longer, warmer, and full of life.

In nature, everything is slowly waking up. The ground softens, seeds begin to stir beneath the soil, and new growth emerges in its own time.

This season mirrors the way children grow and develop.

Growth is not rushed. It is not forced. It unfolds gradually, through rhythm, repetition, and experience. Just like the earth, children need time, space, and the right environment to bloom.

At Little Roots, we honor this season through hands-on experiences, time in nature, and opportunities for children to observe, create, and connect. These moments may seem simple, but they are laying the foundation for deep learning, confidence, and a sense of belonging in the world around them.

The equinox reminds us that development is a process of balance. Rest and activity. Light and shadow. Holding on and letting go.

And just like the season, our children are always becoming.

Happy Spring Equinox!

One of the things that makes learning at Little Roots Academy so special is that so much of it happens outdoors, using the natural world as our classroom.

At Little Roots, we often use natural materials like rocks, sticks, leaves, and pinecones as learning tools. Simple materials from nature become powerful when children are given the time and space to explore them. Concepts like counting, grouping, problem solving, and pattern recognition come alive when learning is hands on and connected to the environment around them.

Outdoor learning also supports so many areas of development beyond academics. When children walk through a stream, balance on logs, climb over rocks, and navigate uneven ground, they are strengthening their core muscles, improving balance, and developing coordination. These natural movements build strong bodies and support healthy brain development.

We also use flexible seating and sit spots in nature to support social and emotional learning. Sometimes that looks like sitting on a log during a story, spreading out on the grass with a journal, or finding a quiet place under a tree to reflect. Nature invites calm, focus, and connection.

This is what whole child learning looks like. Children learning with their mind, body, and soul while developing confidence, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the world around them.

This is the heart of what we strive to create at Little Roots Academy

They’re almost here 🐣🌿

We are so excited to share that our baby chicks will be arriving at Little Roots Academy on April 29th!

This spring, our outdoor classroom is growing in the most beautiful way. The children will get to experience firsthand what it means to care for living creatures from the very beginning. We’ll learn about life cycles, responsibility, gentleness, food systems, and what it truly means to steward our little homestead space.

Watching chicks grow from tiny, fluffy hatchlings into laying hens is such a special part of a nature-based education. The children will help observe, journal, prepare feed, refresh water, and slowly build the routines that teach patience and care.

Our flock will include:
• Buff Orpington
• Lavender Orpington
• Black Australorp
• Silver or Gold Laced Wyandotte
• Light Brahma

Spring on the homestead is going to be sweet, muddy, and full of peeping sounds. We cannot wait to welcome them.