Dirt Learning

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Dirt Learning We Play, We Explore, We Discover, We Learn. We Help Children Grow. We help children to grow!

Established in 2003 I have been helping children learn and grow through hands-on learning experiences and exploring in nature. Because of research base information I choose to teach combined age classes and follow children's interests and improve above current skill level.

10/12/2026

Some hills I’ll happily stand on. 🌿

After years of working with children, one thing I know for sure is that kids need more opportunities to PLAY.

To get messy. Take healthy risks. Explore nature. Be bored. Solve problems. Make mistakes. And discover what they’re capable of.

Not every moment needs to be structured, directed, or have a specific outcome.

Sometimes the most meaningful learning happens when we step back and let children lead.

That’s what we believe at Dirt Learning. 💚

Which hill are you standing on with me?

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10/07/2026

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“Be careful!”Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. If a child is in immediate danger, we need to step in.But when “be car...
10/05/2026

“Be careful!”

Sometimes it’s absolutely necessary. If a child is in immediate danger, we need to step in.

But when “be careful” becomes our response to every climb, jump, wobble, or new challenge, children aren’t getting information about what they actually need to notice.

Over time, they may tune us out—or start approaching ordinary challenges with unnecessary fear.

Risky play gives children opportunities to test their bodies, make decisions, problem-solve, and build confidence. Research has also found associations between greater parental encouragement of challenging, adventurous play and fewer anxiety symptoms in children.

So instead of automatically saying “Be careful!”, try giving them information or asking a question:

🌿 “Do you notice how wobbly that log is?”
🌿 “What’s your plan for getting down?”
🌿 “Where could you put your foot next?”
🌿 “Does your body feel steady?”
🌿 “What do you notice around you?”

We’re not ignoring safety.

We’re helping children learn how to think about safety for themselves.

The goal isn’t to remove risk from childhood. It’s to give children opportunities to practice assessing risk while trusted adults are nearby.

Less fear. More awareness. More capable kids.

I’ve spent 28 years learning, teaching, observing children, supporting families, and creating environments where childre...
09/30/2026

I’ve spent 28 years learning, teaching, observing children, supporting families, and creating environments where children can learn through play. My education, trainings, certifications, and experiences have taught me a lot—but some of my greatest teachers have been the children themselves.

One thing I’ve learned over and over:

Children are incredibly capable when we give them the opportunity to show us.

At Dirt Learning, healthy risk isn’t about being careless. It’s about creating an environment where children can climb, move, experiment, problem-solve, assess challenges, and learn to trust themselves—with supportive adults close by.

Sometimes our hardest job as adults is also one of the most important:

Hands down. Mouth closed. Eyes open.

Observe before intervening. Give children a moment. See what they do.

Because our goal isn’t to remove every challenge from childhood.

It’s to help children develop the skills and confidence to navigate challenges for themselves. 🌿

09/28/2026

10 things I’d tell you about Risky Play if I wasn’t afraid to hurt your feelings…

1. Your anxiety doesn’t automatically mean your child is unsafe.
Watching them climb higher, move faster, or try something new can feel uncomfortable.
That feeling doesn’t always mean we need to step in.

2. Risk and danger are not the same thing.
A hazard is something a child may not recognize or be able to assess.
Risk is a challenge they can see, consider, and choose to take.
Remove the hazards. Allow appropriate risk.

3. “BE CAREFUL!” doesn’t give children much information.
Instead, try:
“Do you notice that branch looks thin?”
“How does your body feel up there?”
“What’s your plan for getting down?”
Help them learn to assess what’s actually happening.

4. A scraped knee doesn’t mean we failed to keep them safe.
Bumps, bruises, and minor injuries can happen when children are actively exploring their bodies and their world.

5. If children never test their limits, how will they discover what those limits are?
Balance.
Speed.
Height.
Strength.
Coordination.
Judgment.
Children learn about their bodies by using them.

6. Making childhood as safe as POSSIBLE can have a cost, too.
Children need opportunities to solve problems, make decisions, try again, and discover:
“I can handle hard things.”

7. You don’t have to be your child’s full-time spotter.
Sometimes our job is to step back, observe, and give them enough time to figure it out.
If stepping back is hard, count to 10 before intervening.

8. I’ve spent years creating spaces where children can explore, play, and take developmentally appropriate risks.
My goal isn’t to eliminate every possibility of a bump or fall.
It’s to create an environment where children can practice making decisions while having caring adults nearby.

9. In a world where children spend so much time sitting and on screens, I want children to know their bodies.
Climbing.
Running.
Balancing.
Jumping.
Falling.
Getting back up.
Trying again.

10. My goal: as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.
Protect children from hazards that could cause serious harm while still protecting their opportunities to experienc

I’ve been holding space for this for almost a year without fully understanding what it was supposed to become.Now I do.I...
09/25/2026

I’ve been holding space for this for almost a year without fully understanding what it was supposed to become.

Now I do.

I’m not here to stand in front of you and convince you I have all the answers.

I’m here to create a space where you can slow down.

Learn.
Connect.
Wonder.
Get uncomfortable.
Laugh.
Play.
And trust some of the knowledge you already carry.

That’s what I’ve done for children for years.

And THIS SATURDAY, September 26th, I’m creating that space for adults.

If that resonates with you, there’s a place for you here.

A Day of Play
September 26
9 AM–12 PM
$75

If you’re new here, welcome to Dirt Learning. 🌱Dirt Learning is a child-led, nature-based preschool built around one sim...
09/25/2026

If you’re new here, welcome to Dirt Learning. 🌱

Dirt Learning is a child-led, nature-based preschool built around one simple belief: children are capable, and play is how they learn.

Here, learning doesn’t always look like sitting at a table. It looks like digging in the dirt, hauling heavy things, building, climbing, creating, getting messy, solving problems, taking appropriate risks, navigating friendships, and figuring things out.

Our role isn’t to constantly direct the learning—it’s to create an environment where children can discover it.

We focus on Discovery, Imagination, Resilience, and Trust—DIRT. 💛

And if you’ve ever wondered what this kind of learning actually looks and feels like, come experience it with us!

🌿 Tomorrow, September 26, we’re hosting our Day of Play from 9–12 at Dirt Learning.

We’ll talk about nature-based, child-led learning, but more importantly—we’re going to PLAY. Come connect with other parents and educators, experience the environment, and see just how much learning happens when we give children the time, space, and trust to play.

Come get a little dirty with us. 🌱

09/24/2026

A Day of Play
September 26
9 AM–12 PM
$75

For educators, parents, homeschool families, caregivers—and adults who simply want to understand play differently.

Come as you are. Take what you need. Leave with something that’s yours.

Sign up Here ⬇️ 🔗
https://square.link/u/MfbCmVD4

09/23/2026

We invest in so many things that help us feel good.
This is simply another option. 💛

For $75, I’m inviting you to invest three hours in curiosity, connection, learning, nature—and yourself.

Come fill your bucket while discovering why play fills children’s buckets, too.

September 26 | 9 AM–12 PM

Address

3525 S 4700 W
West Haven, UT
84401

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 11:30am
12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 11:30am
12pm - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 11:30am
12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+18019415227

Website

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