Our Nature School Kindergarteners are being recognized for their conservation efforts! They have been named honorary stewards of the Guilford Land Conservation Trust’s Long Cove Property.
Read moreNature School in the Spotlight: CNS' Appearance in the CT Examiner
This month, our Nature School was featured in the CT Examiner’s Education section, highlighting the growing need for an alternative approach to traditional Early Childhood Education.
Over the last decade, as academic demands on our youngest students have grown significantly, caregivers are finding public schooling for their 3-5 year olds more and more unsatisfactory. Schools like CNS’ Nature School are seeing an explosion in popularity as caregivers seek more flexible, play-based approaches to learning and more outdoor time for their children.
Our director, Rachel Daniels, was quoted outlining the benefits to a Nature School approach. Instead of a “hyper-focus” on kindergarten readiness in the academic sense, CNS and Nature Schools are focusing on the precursors to these skills first: gross motor and fine motor skills - built up through hiking, climbing, jumping, balancing, and play-based learning.
We can adhere to Common Core standards while also allowing our children to set the pace for their learning in an outdoor environment. Our Nature School (and the ever-growing number of nature schools across the country) are showing caregivers that this can be a reality for their children!
A Visit from Meigs Point's Ranger Russ
A truly special day for nature kindergartners and the 4’s!
Ranger Russ from Meigs point nature center (pronounced Megs, I’ve been saying it wrong for years!)
After Ranger Russ was done with his awesome presentation, the kinders were able to talk to him about their track prints that we cast and some scat photos that we were stumped on.
We learned some new terminology that we will be using in the field when we come across tracks. Ask your child about a walker, hopper, waddled and bounder. They also came up with wonderful track stories
We finished our day off with a brisk walk through the trails, journal writing, lunch/recess, literacy/math, partner work, trap building (moss, sticks and hole digging. Quite impressive!) snake drawings and a fancy restaurant was created
A magical day for sure
Your Guide to Dressing your Kids for Cold Nature School Days
Not sure what your kids should wear on cold Nature School days? Here’s your guide!
Layers
Layering clothes has to be the #1 thing that can make an 18 degree day feel like nothing or be miserable and create a safety issue
First layer
Base layer-this is the layer that keeps you warm. Tight thermal clothing; You don’t have to spend a ton of money. There are lots of different brands to choose from and some people just use pajamas as a base layer. Shop base layers.
Second Layer
Fleece layer- this will trap the heat in close to your body. Shop mid layers.
Third Layer
Snowsuit and or waterproof layer (depending on the weather).
The snow gear will not keep your child dry during wet days. The best thing to do is always add a waterproof layer on top of the snowsuit on the wet days.
Wet=Cold
Socks and Boots
Wool socks are best. Here’s a REI link for socks.
Boots-rubber boots on cold days won’t necessarily keep your child’s feet warm. Check in with them to see how they felt with their toes
Gloves
Warm layer and a waterproof layer for wet, cold days. Extra warm gloves always in the pack
Hat and Balaclava
Both of these are great options
Check in with your child at the end of the day to see how they felt with their layers.
Inside your pack
Waterproof layers(pants and gloves) should always be packed away
Extra second layer. Some kids opt to add a layer on during the day
Hat
Warm socks
Extra gloves
Seasonal appropriate change of clothes
It’s best to pack the bag with your child. Show them exactly where everything is going and what is in their pack.
Nature teachers are continually doing body checks during the day to make sure all parts feel comfortable. We will often ask them to add a layer or swap a layer if necessary. It’s important to have the appropriate gear on hand.
18 degrees and sunny is much warmer than 40 degrees and cloudy/rainy!
Nature school veterans, feel free to share your favorite brands, links and tips! It’s great to have a community that can help!