outdoor clasrooM

Peopleplace is dedicated to researching and developing innovative best practices in early childhood education. To that end, the school came together to incorporate the philosophical and pedagogical nature-based approach and built a yurt in our woods. In 2018, our inaugural class of 12 - 4 and 5 year olds met for one day a week outside where they explored everything nature provides:  a connection with the natural world, physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development, calculated risk-taking, creative thinking, problem solving, and a sense of wonder in the world around them. Strong relationships were fostered in this group as they were allowed the freedom to play and work in both a structured and intentionally unstructured environment. In-line with the Reggio approach, children were seen as capable and competent and were given the time and space to drive their own learning building confidence and resilience that will serve them well as they continue onto kindergarten.