frequently asked questions
Why do children belong Outside?
The research is abundantly clear that children need nature. Study after study has shown that time spent outside can improve cognitive development, increase physical activity, encourage pro-social behavior, and reduce stress and depression for both children and adults. And it's no wonder! We live in a time of sensory overload, full of screens, air conditioning, artificial scents, and fast moving vehicles. In nature, children are free to be themselves, connect with their community, and develop skills in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
What is Forest School?
Forest school is school that happens primarily outside! The first official forest schools were founded in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany in the 1950s & 60s. Since then the practice has exploded with forest schools now spanning the globe.
Besides the central tenet of being outside, forest schools tend to have a progressive, play-based & child-led curriculum, highly value risky play, and rely mostly on items found in nature as open-ended toys, without bringing in commercial products.
What's The Difference Between Little Lupines & Wild Willows?
In our Little Lupines group you are the primary caretaker of your child and the class is for both of you! We meet one day a week for a season although some families attend more than one day and many families return for many seasons. Each class offers thoughtful, land based curriculum including nature explorations, crafts, books, and stories. This is a great option for children who are not ready to be away from their caregiver or for families who want a lower cost option for siblings.
Our Wild Willows group runs Sept-May and we ask that children attend at least twice per week, allowing for deep and meaningful relationships with their teachers and peers. While we are mainly play based we use emergent and land based curriculum to develop skills children will need in their learning journey including literacy, math, scientific inquiry, being in community, emotional regulation, and more. This is a great option for families looking for a gentler TK or K year before traditional school or for homeschoolers looking for a slow transition toward more academic learning.
How do you deal with weather?
For the most part, we follow the adage "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." Children love playing in the rain! We encourage layering, put up a tarp shelter, or visit the river to make cold, rain, or heat more comfortable.
There are some instances where the weather really is bad. If the National Weather Service issues a weather warning (thunder/lightning, wind, heat, etc.) or if the AQI is over 120, we cancel school. Because we pay our teachers for these cancellations, we can not issue any refunds or make-up days.
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what about the potty?
Going to the bathroom outside is a great skill to learn! We use leave no trace principles including using toilet facilities when possible and packing out bms and toilet paper. Children are always supported in bathrooming by a teacher and given privacy if requested.
We use bio-degradable soap and water or hand sanitizer for sanitation.
what about water safety?
We take water safety incredibly seriously. We have a strict water play procedure (similar to a lifeguard at a pool) and all children at forest school MUST wear life jackets when playing in or near water. We carefully choose our swim areas away from the current, usually in alcoves or behind protected sand bars.
How Do I Enroll?
If you would like to learn more or are ready to enroll please email info@waterwoodandhill.com. We schedule phone calls and play dates to answer questions and make sure we are the right fit for your family!
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See you outside!