Core Values

As adults we have trained our brains to think of play as a “break” from learning, however for our children, the best learning often occurs through play! When children are given the opportunity to play on their own terms, it’s proven that the learned outcomes are retained at a higher level. Allowing children to participate in true child-led play, promotes countless positive outcomes. Play has been proven to reduce stress levels and help children grow socially and emotionally, especially through outdoor play. Play promotes cooperation and problem solving amongst peers. Teamwork, exercise, creativity, and inquiry are just the beginning when children are in charge. 

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Life can be hard. As adults we are constantly faced with hard decisions, problems to solve, and potential consequences. We know and realize that this is just part of life.  As a teacher, I found that when students were faced with a challenging task, they were quick to give up. Struggling or trying something many times was a foreign concept to them. At Rooted In Nature, we embrace challenges in many ways! We work as a team to solve real world problems that may arise when gardening or that revolve around our animals, as well as challenges that we create through adventure and play. Realizing that a challenge is an opportunity to learn, grow and preserve is one of my favorite things about working with children! 

At Forest & Farm school; students are encouraged to participate in imaginative and interactive activities. Many children naturally gravitate towards risky-play when allowed the freedom to direct their own play. As adults, we tend to step in too quickly and stop children from taking risks that we deem as “too much for them to handle”. When we stop children from taking those risks that they had contemplated, we stifle their development in more ways than we realize. At Rooted in Nature, allowing children the freedom to evaluate a risky decision and act on their own is something we encourage. Taking risks gives children confidence in themselves, promotes physical strength, improves dexterity, increases executive function, improves balance and body awareness and so much more!

When children participate in self-directed free play, it not only promotes physical health, but also social emotional health. As children interact and play with each other they learn through those interactions. Children develop an understanding of social norms, rules and regulations, and problem solving skills through play based interactions. A strong foundation of social emotional skills play a vital role for children as they grow. Children that lack social skills are more prone to feelings of loneliness, mental health issues, behavioral issues, poor interaction with parents, teachers, peers and struggle to adjust when entering the traditional school environment. 

Respect is a lesson that will be embedded daily into all of our interactions at Forest & Farm School. Students will spend a majority of their time out in nature and working with our animals. Taking the time to slow down and admire the gifts that mother nature has given to us is so vital in our busy, fast-paced lives. As we develop a love for nature and all of its gifts, a natural level of appreciation and respect will begin to develop within the students. Being an active participant in the hard work that goes into gardening, tending the land, and playing in the forest, this will help promote a love and admiration for our world around us.

Relationships are one of our top priorities at Rooted In Nature. We strive to create an environment where children build strong relationships with peers, animals, and nature. Our goal is to promote a strong comradery where children feel supported and cared for by their peers. As a team, children can face new fears, encourage each other, and work together to take on new challenges that they might not on their own. Teamwork builds children’s confidence as they find and share their voice, listen and consider others ideas, and promotes better communication. Team interactions help create accountability, teach empathy, and build friendship.