Some Mid Michigan preschoolers are getting their educational start out in the woods.
Nature Preschool, hosted at the
Chippewa Nature Center at 400 S. Badour Road in Midland, is part of the growing trend of nature-based preschools. The program serves more than 80 three- and four-year old children from the Great Lakes Bay Region.
"We use the natural world as a catalyst for children’s growth and development," says Rachel Larimore, director of education. "The mission of Nature Preschool is to provide a premier early childhood environment which meets the developmental needs of the whole child, while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world."
Larimore, who has been with the Chippewa Nature Center since 2001, coordinates all youth programs at the center, including school programs, nature day camp, scouts and Nature Preschool. She helped take Nature Preschool from a vision to a reality in 2007.
"We believe in the importance of daily outdoor play and discovery," Larimore says. "Through nature-based activities and high quality teaching staff, children develop strong social and academic skills that are developmentally appropriate."
Paige Pope, parent of a child at the Nature Preschool, says everything is a teaching moment in the program.
"My son has become our resident naturalist," she says. "Everything from how animals survive the winter to the life cycle of insects. They’ve caught tad poles, dug up worms and created habitats."
Nature Preschool uses the Creative Curriculum model which emphasizes purposeful and productive play experiences to help children grow in all areas. The curriculum includes outdoor play, dramatic play, large and small motor activities, cooking and food experiences, sensory activities, natural science experiences, art activities, music and movement, language activities and block play.
"Children develop social-emotional skills, physical skills and cognitive skills at Nature Preschool," Larimore says. "This includes math, literacy, problem-solving, balance, coordination, etc."
Preschoolers also have daily experiences with animals in the classroom, on the nature center property and at the Homestead Farm.
"Extensive outdoor play every day--no matter the weather--is unique to our program," Larimore says. "Students start the day outside in the play area, then the group goes on a hike around the nature center property together."
The indoor portion of the program is similar to a traditional program, except everything ties back to nature, according to Larimore.
"Nature is the tool we use to make learning relevant to children’s daily lives and help create a sense of place," she says. "Children will be building their knowledge through their first-hand experiences with nature, classroom materials, and their relationships with peers and adults."
Pope has an education background, having worked as a teacher, principal, researcher and professional development specialist. This has given her a unique outlook on the experiences her son is having at Nature Preschool.
"The main difference is using nature as context for making learning meaningful," she says. "In traditional schools, a lot of content is taught in isolation as a specific skill or activity. In Nature Preschool, everything is embedded in science and nature."
Pope says this is highly motivational to the preschooler and increases their ability to use information and skills outside of the context in which it was taught and increases retention.
"The kids are excited, stimulated and thoroughly enjoy learning," she says.
Additionally, Pope says there is a focus on problem solving with teacher facilitation.
"I’ve seen my son mature and gain confidence in social interactions since being at the preschool," she says.
Parents are expected to volunteer monthly and attend activities.
"Every time I visit the class, I learn something," Pope says. "I wish something like this existed when I was a child."
Small class sizes mean children get individualized attention. Each class has three teachers with no more than 18 students.
"Parents love the program. In fact, many parents have asked when we’re going to start an elementary school," Larimore says. "It’s clear parents see how engaged and excited their children are about learning."
In 2009, Nature Preschool moved into its new building. The
Margaret Ann (Ranny) Riecker Nature Preschool Center, a LEED-certified building, was designed specifically for preschoolers with restrooms in the classroom, big sinks and low windowsills. There are two classrooms in the building.
"The new building has geothermal-fueled radiant in-floor heating and cooling; 100 percent outside air circulated through the building; solar panels for electricity; solar panels for domestic hot water; lots of natural day lighting," says Larimore.
Additionally, Norway spruce from the center’s property was used in the construction of the building.
"The setting is absolutely beautiful and the preschool is able to take advantage of all the Chippewa Nature Center has to offer-- which is quite an abundance of resources," Pope says.
Cost for enrollment varies based of number of days a child will attend, but families that meet the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) qualifying guidelines can be awarded full scholarships as space allows. There also is a scholarship fund that can partially reduce tuition based on a family’s income.
Rachel Esterline is a freelance writer in Mid Michigan. Find her on Twitter or read her blog.
Images by: Avram Golden