Belonging in Nature, a Forest Kindergarten Program

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🌐 www.teachergoals.com

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School’s back in session soon, but that doesn’t mean we should abandon time with nature.

Every teacher can be a nature teacher! In this article, author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv explains how educators can join the children and nature movement at their schools and beyond.

The Vitamin N Challenge is going on now. We’re challenging you – educators – to incorporate nature into your classroom this year. Join the children and nature movement and see the difference.
https://bit.ly/3Yq2mee

August things...
Via little oak learning

We are open for registration for Fall 2024 session!

✨✨To register for your child’s space, please send me a message with your email address or comment, “We Belong” below. ✨✨

Options include:
Tuesdays and Thursdays running 8AM-11AM.
Please message me quickly to reserve your space!
Ages 3yrs old (potty trained) up to 7yrs old!

Rates:
1 day/week $55
2 days/week $80

Dates:
Week 1: September 10th, 12th
Week 2: September 17th, 19th
Week 3: September 24th, 26th
NO GATHERING October 1st, 3rd, 8th, or 10th (on vacation)
Week 4: October 15th, 17th
Week 5: October 22nd, 24th
Week 6: October 29th, 31st
Week 7: November 5th, 7th
Week 8: November 12th, 14th

Teachers, mentors, catering staff, teaching assistants, principals, maintenance help, etc etc

Thank you for being the light in a child’s day!

via Teach, Let's Talk

Quote of the Day

A good reminder.

Source: Printable Preschool

Via Rain or Shine Mamma

I have heard far too many situations of children who are declared "naughty" because they throw(please do not use that word to describe a child...ever) .

Please listen to me:
Throwing is NOT bad behavior.
The bad behavior is adults who prevent children from throwing or worse, PUNISH children who throw.

It is the adult's responsibility to provide "YES!" opportunities to throw.

I have heard ALL the exceptions, with my favorite being "What if a child throws in anger?"

That is still not "bad behavior". That is simply a child who needs thoughtful coaching in regards to how to handle anger. It is also a child who, more often than not, does not have enough opportunities to throw.

Back to the point of this post:

Throwing is a NEED, it is usually NOT an expression of anger, it is a physical NEED.
It is one of Chris Athey's identified "Play Schemes". It is one of many ways children are wired to collect information about this world.

Think about all you learn from throwing different things! There is much to be learned.

Throwing also provides a gazillion benefits for the developing body!

Throwing IS PRE-writing (note: PRE=BEFORE). Throwing requires all the same muscles to coordinate together as writing does! Everything from the CORE to the fingers is needed for throwing. All of those muscles (core, upper back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, forearms, wrists, hands and fingers) need to be able to work together in order to throw AND in order to write.

Throwing is PRE-reading (again PRE=BEFORE). In order for eyes to read a line of words, they need to be able to track things in REAL SPACE (NOTE: not a screen. Eyes need depth, they need REAL. Throwing provides an excellent opportunity to develop visual tracking skills.

Throwing also involves eye-hand coordination, ESPECIALLY when what is being thrown is a pendelum. Eye-hand coordination is necessary for writing.

My go to solution for opportunities to throw is nylon shower puffs. They are inexpensive, they are soft and can easily be come a pendelum, or have a strip of fabric or ribbon added for even more enjoyment. Stuffed animals are also fantastic (I stocked up years ago on these stuffed mice from Ikea...wonderful for throwing)

I coach children to use the "noggin test". If they are unsure if something is okay to throw, tap it on your noggin (head) first. If it makes no sound, it's typically safe to throw. Is it a perfect test, no...but it creates an opportunity for a child to pause and think before throwing.

Obviously this method is probably not going ro work with an 11 month old who NEEDS to throw... but you can still begin coaching this technique AND....you can do your job by knowing who your throwers are and keeping safe materials near them.

Go forth and LET THEM THROW!!!
Change YOUR behavior.

****Beginning Sept 1, posts like this will only be available via email OR subscribing to this page!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️******

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***Book my VALUABLE keynote or workshop for your next training event : "The MISSED NEEDS in "MISS"behaviors". It is all about the needs ALL children have that, when missed by the adults leads to unnecessary stress in the environment. It addresses SIMPLE changes and awareness that leads to significant reductions in stress for both adults and children so EVERYONE can be their best self!****

“There was something about it that caught my eye,” explains Anna Dutke, co-founder of MnECO.

Despite the harsh winters, Minnesota ranks third in the U.S. for the number of nature-based preschools, following only Washington and California.

This state is seeing a shift toward nature-based models in multiple types of programming. Remarkably, 13 public schools in Minnesota offer a nature-based option, an unprecedented number nationwide.

Additionally, there are child care providers operating out of backyards, private schools partnered with nature centers and hobby farms, church-based programs using nature-based pedagogy, and early childhood family education programs.

In this article, Dutke shares how nature-based learning has impacted her students, creating excitement and a love for learning when they come to school each day.

https://bit.ly/3VRHjSm

MN ECO: Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors