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Nature based education is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States as an alternative to traditional learning. Many have not heard of it and, in fact, many believe it to be a new approach to learning when, in fact, it has a rich history. We will take a very brief look at that rich history in this article.
In the late 19th century United States, many psychologists, biologists, and educators worried that children’s development was being harmed by life in an industrial society, a “book-based” school curriculum, and teacher-centered methods. This led to the nature study movement (1890–1920), which sought to correct this harm by connecting children’s learning to the everyday things in their environment through observation and experience. Nature study aimed to reveal a completely new spiritual reality, and it also strived to improve children’s mental and moral faculties.
As the nature study movement faded in the 1910s and 1920s, forest schools were emerging in the United Kingdom and in North America as a part of the movement that began in Germany in the early 20th century. Originally, these schools were set up for children recovering from illness, particularly tuberculosis. They were medically oriented, combining public health and educational goals. Classes were held outside to expose the children to fresh air and sunshine.
Borrowing approaches from nature-based schools in Germany and Scandinavia, programs in the United Kingdom and the United States follow one or more of these models:
- schools in urban settings that provide regular opportunities to visit outdoor areas
- early learning programs that feature nature as a main component of their outdoor play area.
Which all leads us to Sequia’s Treehouse, right here in Olympia, Washington. We use the Reggio Emilia approach.
Reggio Emilia is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum. Reggio Emilia with Teachers focused on teaching Social/Emotional learning along with our self-motivated early learning environment, we provide a loving, nurturing atmosphere where children thrive. Working in partnership with parents, we focus on the whole child and strive to engender a genuine love of learning in everyone.
Give us a call, arrange for a tour, and find out, firsthand, what all the excitement is about.
