A NEST IN NATURE
Wonder . . Curiosity . . Exploration . . Discovery . . Time . . Joy. . Freedom
the essence of childhood . . . learning naturally
Real, natural learning is in the living.
It's in the observing, the questioning,
the examining, the pondering, the analyzing,
the watching, the reading, the DO-ing, the living,
the breathing, the loving, the joy.
It's in the JOY.
~anne ohman
MY PROGRAM - gentle learning
Our days at A Nest in Nature can be described as a gentle learning, deeply involved with nature, animals and the arts . The children learn by DOING, experiencing the world first hand.
My program takes into account the *whole child* and the realization that children are learning at all times, in everything that they do. Play is their work and I take a cue from the children on what we delve deeper into. Learning is so joyful when it has meaning for the child.
We live by the principle of RESPECT for all, and learn to embrace our differences, for everyone has something to give. And there is always allowance for flexibility and choice in all that we do.
A Nest in Nature is a Home, kid-friendly, casual and comfortable. There are separate areas for different kinds of play, but I want to maintain the *home* feel and connection for the children while they are here and away from their families. There are many years ahead to be in a more formal settings.
You will not see all we have to offer for I rotate the things we have and feel it important to keep open space and non-cluttered areas to ease the mind, as well as the body, giving more room to use the things we do have out. Each week something new will be put out to excite and delight and for the children to discover.
Some areas stay basically the same, the Pillow Nook which can be used for reading or anything the child wants, the Block area with blocks and manipulatives easily accessible to the low table and long, wide wooden windowseat, the Drama area with mirror, dress-up clothes and props for pretend play, the Writing area with assorted art supplies and papers ,the Nature table with our specials finds. In each of these areas, new things will be added and others rotated on a regular basis.
This is what you can expect for your child at A Nest in Nature:
-They learn vocabulary from the rich, quality literature we read.
-They fine tune their observational skills by exploring and discovering nature among our woodlands, wetlands, pond, ridge and meadow, field trips, and our monthly Picture Study of great artists work.
-They increase their fine motor coordination with manipulatives, puzzles, legos and art work that we do.
- They increase their large motor skills with daily outside play, nature walks, dance and yoga.
-They learn to have reverence for the earth and an increased awareness of how each individual can do their part for the world , by learning and observing firsthand what wildlife need to survive and what we can do to help. and they do it. They reuse and recycle, and use natural and organic methods in their daily lives.
-They learn, with hands-on experience, how to take care of other living beings, our animals. and most importantly, why we do the things we do for them.
-Their imagination is fostered through dramatic and pretend play, and through fairy tales. poetry and classic children's literature.
-Their awareness of health and nutrition is increased by taking an active part in food preparation, trying new foods, planning and planting our organic gardens, and picking and canning the harvest.
-The social skills of co-operation and tolerance are fostered by an environment of respect and working together and realizing we are all different, yet we all have something to give, and to appreciate the uniqueness of each person.
-Their patience is increased as they work on art and other projects that aren't finished quickly in a day, and as ongoing chapter books are read to them, as well as taking turns and waiting until a child is finished speaking before they express their own thoughts.
- Their problem-solving skills are sharpened as we work out differences and brainstorm together how to make life more joyful and the steps needed to get there, and make decisions on future projects and field trips.
- Math skills are learned by playing games, counting, sorting, doing puzzles, building, cooking and baking, finding patterns in nature and architecture, pretend play and problem-solving.
-Reading skills are learned by being read to daily, playing games, observing labels and signs in our Nest, and having a vast supply of books to use at will.
-Writing skills are learned by drawing, coloring, doing mazes, copying and tracing, and having many different medium and papers to use.
-Awareness of the world around them is increased as we learn about children in different countries through books and videos and plot them on our world map.
-Science and scientific skills are learned through our on-going science experiments, nature walks and nature journaling.
-Creativity is fostered through their every day play, and the many different art techniques the children are exposed to, props and costumes for pretend and dramatic play, and the time to make connections on their own and in their own way.
-Self-worth and confidence is increased as each child learns to do more for himself and for each other in each of our days.
-Safety is stressed in all that we do, inside and outside, in addition to keeping safe by keeping healthy. through handwashing, brushing teeth, and proper nutrition, etc.
The ultimate goal is to expose children to the world, increase their love of learning, making learning joyful by living life to the fullest, and to value their voice and their choices with respect for the unique and wonderful people they are, who will be more than ready to go forth into their days ahead.
I believe children learn best by LIVING, by taking an ACTIVE part in life, being able to DO as much as they can, as safety allows. Children are very capable beings, and are often under-estimated by adults.
Spending the days at A NEST IN NATURE and living and learning with nature, farm and animal life, includes caring for the animals, gardening, cooking and baking, and the daily responsibilities that come with our daily living (sweeping the floor, setting the table, etc) as well as Play, and other enriching activities ( literature, art, music, drama)
The more a child can do herself, the more she has a sense of self , becoming confident and knowing who he/she is.
We follow the seasons as Nature does, and we become more in tune with the natural world around us. We explore and observe and discover.
We plant and tend organic gardens. We explore the woodlands, ridge, meadow, and pond every day and in all seasons. We have an ongoing nature cabinet, nature table and we create nature journals to record our finds.
We play in the teepee and make fairy houses and forts. We observe pond life with buckets and magnifying glasses, we go birding with binoculars, we fish at the pond and we make nature crafts and more.
We learn what it is like to be responsible for other living beings, by caring for our animals on a day to day basis: Horses, Rabbits, Ducks, Chickens, and Dogs.
We learn what each animal needs, and when, and how to do it. We are constantly improving their living conditions as we live and learn.
It's that *animal connection* that touches our hearts, knowing we are giving our animals the best of us, giving them a healthy and safe envirornment, one filled with love:
It's hearing the neighing welcome we get from the horses as they see us approaching and snuggling against their soft muzzles.
It's picking clover and dandelion greens in the meadow and feeding them to the rabbits , and plucking their soft, silky angora fur to save when we learn how to spin it into yarn.
It's raking out the duck pen and filling their pools each morning as the ducks look on, anxiously awaiting their swim time, and perhaps being chased by the drakes IF they are in fiesty mood :)
It's collecting eggs from the chicken coop and comparing them in color and size to the duck eggs, and baking with them.
It's walking with the bulldog down the grassy drive and playing with him in the yard and in the house.
It's watching baby chicks arrive and grow and become adult hens.
and much much more :)
We have a daily Circle Gathering Time, a time when we talk and share, listen to stories and poetry, and play games and fingerplays.
Children are given the FREEDOM to make CHOICES, as often as possible, in all aspects of their day, for making choices is how they learn to make decisions as they grow. Ones that are the best for THEM.
We go outside each day in all kinds of weather. There is something to discover each and every day.
LEARNING
DAILY RHYTHM
Children are given the FREEDOM to make CHOICES, as often as possible, in all aspects of their day, for making choices is how they learn to make decisions as they grow. Ones that are the best for THEM.
We do have daily responsibilities, as tending and feeding the animals on time, and preparing and eating food ourselves, but I am a big advocate on CHOICE and FLEXIBILIY. And I don't believe in a rigid, structured day.
There IS a flow to our days though, a RHYTHM of work and play , noisy and quiet, so children do have some sense of order and know what to expect.
~Arrival and free play . . .oftentimes it will be outdoors.
~Morning gathering circle time - stories. poems. sharing, brainstorming, discussing
~Activity
~Snack
~Outside- Nature walk- observing, exploring, discovering , feed and check on animals
~Lunch
~Stories, Music or Activity
-Free play
- Departure- oftentimes outdoors
We have a GUIDE as to what we will do each day but always with the ability to change, to what suits us best, according to how we feel and what we feel like doing, what the weather is like and what other opportunites come upon us. And we look to the world around us, to the seasons,as to what we may do.
I feel it important that children have a CHOICE, have TIME to decide what to do and the TIME to DO it . It's freedom, and cooperation and decision- making that helps them grow as people. You would be surprised that even the littliest people have a voice, an opinion, and absolutely wonderful suggestions.
It is our gift to humanity to allow children to play.
Through the creativity of their imaginations,
free-thinkers will be born.
~from Palumba toy website
A NEST IN NATURE is a gentle and natural early learning program for three to five year olds. It IS a NEST, a small, nurturing atmosphere where children are treated as the unique individuals they are, living and learning at their own pace.
Our days consist of living and learning amidst nature and animals
in an enriching and respectful environment. The children learn by DOING, and we live life JOYFULLY.
Nature doesn't rush, and neither should little children.
We mirror the seasons and strive to live in harmony with the earth and with each other. There is a rhythm to our lives and a real connection to the natural world around us. There is also an emphasis on Art, Music, and Literature.
There is TIME for play, freedom, and choice, allowing the child to decide how to fill his time among the myriad of materials and activities. Play is a child's work and fosters the imagination and creativity. And with freedom, cooperation and decision-making, it helps them grow as people.
"As children observe, reflect, record, and share nature’s patterns and rhythms, they are participating in a process that promotes scientific and ecological awareness, problem solving, and creativity."
~Deb Matthews Hensley
Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles, frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb, brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pine-cones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been deprived of the best part of education.
-Luther Burbank
Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. ~Rachel Carson
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
A NEST IN NATURE welcomes children 3-5
Thursdays from September 16, 2010 to June 9, 2011
Program hours : 9am -12:30 pm
Enrollment is ongoing and follows the public school calendar, closing for holidays and vacations.
Space is limited to four to six children per day .
The children will be caring for animals and preparing and handling foods on a frequent basis, so please be aware this is not a nut free, wheat-free and animal fur free zone.
To secure a space for your child a registration/supply fee ($50) and first month's tuition fee ( $122.00) is required. Both are non-refundable, should you change your mind about attendance.
Tuition fee is payable monthly. Please contact me to discuss fees if there is hardship and need a weekly payment plan of $37.
Monthly tuition is figured by multiplying the number of days by $37 and dividing that evenly between the 10 months. Some months have more days than others but it all evens out.
There are also forms that I must have completed and in my possession before the first day of attendance.
Supplies
We need specific supplies to keep us safe and comfortable. All children will be required to have:
1.Boots- rubber boots for animal care and rainy days in the warm months and warm winter boots for the cold months
2.sneakers for running and climbing
3.slippers or soft comfy shoes for inside ( optional)
4.extra set of clothes ...and socks (2 complete sets)
5.raincoat with hood (warm, waterproof not water resistant)
6.umbrella
7.snowsuit or ski jacket and ski pants
13.waterproof mittens- a few pairs
14.warm hats/scarf
15.sweatshirt or fleece top
16. toothbrush and toothpaste
Enrollment
Gentle learning for 3 -5 year olds encompassing the*whole child* and fostering the joy of learning *naturally* with nature, animals and the arts.
~Thursdays
~Sept 16, 2010 to June 9, 2011
~9:00 am - 12:30 pm
~Small group - 4 to 6 children
Visiting Day will be held in late
July or early August.
30 Old Center Street
North Middleboro
Contact me
See a glimpse of our past days NESTLINGS
at Harmony Woods Farm
Child in Harmony blog
Licenced by Dept of Early Education and care
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