Mana Kids Outdoor Program

Yesterday’s 1st ever Day in SF was a success with 340 in attendance. Check out the pics for some on My favorite part was hearing the adults say wow I can do this in my classroom 🙏🏽 @ Louis Sutter Playground

Join us tomorrow, Wednesday 8/28 for San Francisco’s 1st ever Nature Play Day! It’s a free event! So many fun activities will be set up for kids to interact with nature and the community🌻 is organizing iSpy other organizations are participating too! SF Children & Nature, SF Rec & Park, Dept of Environment, Presidio Trust, National Park Service, GG National Parks Conservancy, YMCA, Cal Academy, Randall Museum, First5 + more

Filoli gardens was a beautiful place to visit with young children. We connected with the most beautiful flora and fauna. Some highlights: observing a wild peacock, tadpoles, hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and collecting acorns. They offer # kids @ Filoli

How can we help children be global citizens of this world? We can do that by giving them opportunities to connect with self, the community, and nature.

NATURE WALK CONNECTING FAMILIES 2-5YO TODDLER PREK - FUN, ENGAGING, CHILD-LED Tue, Aug 13, 2019, 9:30 AM: This location is at the suggestion of some parents in this group. This is as a peaceful oasis within the city where you can clear your head and inhale the scent of pine and

We found a dead baby bird on our nature walk today, and noticed it was surrounded by flowers with handwritten notes from children. We read the notes out loud which expressed gratitude for the birds life, beauty, sounds it brought to this world. Wow, I thought what an impactful ceremony and life lesson.

Gone fishing 👌🏽I let students in my class use sticks because they are the ultimate imaginative toy with no boundaries. Playing with sticks gives them a chance to learn about safety and helps them develop spacial awareness. Some expectations I have for my students: keep the stick pointed down, and if you want to point it up make sure you have space, lastly ask someone to hold your stick if you want to run. Children learn quickly.

Spending time outdoors can help children practice the skill of focusing. Fun math and focus activity: how many banana slugs can we find on our nature walk?

When I hear children say repeatedly “but I can’t!” my response is “you can’t? Or is it that you don’t want to?” Then I give space for thought and model the action to encourage them. Goal: building confidence.

Rain or shine we go outdoors looking for a new adventure. It’s all about how prepared we can help children feel so they can enjoy all elements. Today we spent time in the creek observing the current using leaves to determine upstream. Noticed what’s around us using all senses. Great first day of class!

Today marks the last day of our 10 week Fall toddler program at Mclaren Park. We captured a photo in the moment - three generations in motion. It’s small moments like these where relationships are nurtured and nourished. The feelings of happiness come from our sense of connection to self, others and community.

Dia de los Mu***os (Day of the Dead) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and throughout the world on November 1 and 2.

In the 1960s it was recognized by the country as a holiday unifying national tradition based on indigenous traditions.

It’s a celebration of life that honors friends and family who have passed away. Colorful altars are erected featuring favorite foods, drinks, and personal mementos of the deceased.

Aztec marigolds guide the spirits to their altars using their vibrant colors and sweet scent.

Today in class we incorporated a story about the de los mu***os, noticed real photos, we shared pan de mu**to, smelled and touched marigolds, smelled orange essential oil, and set up table with candles and sugar skull decor. Later we pressed marigolds onto book to take home. Using all senses we recognized an indigenous tradition. The toddlers and families expressed gratitude what beautiful day.
***os

@ John McLaren Park