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What is HMS Nature Preschool?
Anchor 1
"If children are not given enough natural movement and play experiences, they start their academic careers with a disadvantage. They are more likely to be clumsy, have difficulty paying attention, trouble controlling their emotions, utilize poor problem solving methods and demonstrate difficulties with social interactions."
1. Nature-Based- Nature is at the core of all planning, designing & decorating for our outdoor & indoor classroom and activities.
At HMS Nature Preschool we aim to be outside engrossed in nature for a minimum of 90% of the time, with weather being our only deciding factor on moving indoors.
Nature education encompasses learning to build a strong foundation with an individualized ecological identity and deeper connection with nature to ensure a strong relationship with the child's self while utilizing the most developmentally appropriate practices.
2. Socioemotional Development Focused- Socioemotional development is at the foundation of a successful life. It teaches children to attune to not only their own needs but also to be aware of what others around them need as well.
Strong social and emotional skills allow children to "experience, regulate & express a range of emotions; develop close, satisfying relationships with other children and adults; and actively explore their environment and learn."
3. Montessori-Inspired- I had the pleasure of spending some of my professional career immersed in Montessori education and I absolutely fell in love. Dr. Montessori was an incredible human and truly designed a program that is considerate to the child as a whole.
We will utilize a majority of Montessori materials and practices in our indoor classroom.
4. Child-Led- This simply means the environment is organized for the child, there are 0 'no' spaces and they CHOOSE what activity will fuel their play throughout the day. The teacher's role is to be a guide, facilitating the best opportunities for learning and growth, while helping to establish a healthy learning appetite that can last a lifetime.
"Playing independently outdoors with friends in a natural environment creates calm sensory-rich but not sensory overload where they can play without frustration, noise, stressors of the indoor classroom."
Outdoor play provides therapeutic value through a perfectly balanced sensory experience, an outdoor environment provides an unlimited supply of ideas and adventures to spark creativity, and teaches children how to challenge themselves while mitigating their own risk.
"Most of what children need to learn during their early childhood years cannot be taught: it's discovered through play."
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