11/15/2022
Why outdoor preschool?
Perhaps an equally important question is to ask, "Why NOT outdoor preschool?"
Outdoor preschool is not for everyone. In fact, research shows that preschool is not for everyone. Part of our process is meeting students where they are, but the fact of the matter is that it will sometimes be wet, cold, too hot, sticky, dirty, muddy, and with an exciting portion of mitigated risk. All of these things were a part of human evolution, and we hope that by returning to those roots we can better access the immense power of a child's mind and help those children better access their own bodies.
Outdoor schooling is becoming increasingly popular around the world, but here in Portland, we think that even where outdoor schooling benefits students cognitively, it also benefits them culturally. Moreover, as a member of our rapidly globalizing community, connection to land and a sense of responsibility for space is a valuable tool one can only receive through exposure.
Whatever the journey looks like, it is our intense belief (and hope) that returning children to the environments their biology is adapted to is the most beneficial way to stimulate their development. In the words of forest school researcher Erin Kenny, "Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls."
We are currently accepting enrollments for our Garden Preschool. If you are already familiar with our program and want to register now, please reach out!