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Philosophy

Star Child Nature School is founded on the philosophy that children need the freedom to move, explore, discover, and play in order to grow and develop their physical bodies, which in turn helps build a strong foundation for emotional and cognitive learning. 

Allowing young children to learn in a predominantly outdoor environment fosters curiosity, compassion, creativity, confidence and a connection to the natural world. 

Experiences are multi-sensory, real, open-ended, and free from judgment. 

Our main goal at Star Child is to embrace childhood—those fleeting years filled with discovery and wonder, magic, and the feeling that all is right in the world. Whether chasing toads, climbing trees, splashing in mud puddles, or pretending to be a pony galloping in an open field, young children need time to play, imagine, and, most importantly, simply be children.

Pedagogy

Star Child Nature School teaches using an outdoor environment and natural materials. We take a gentle approach to learning, meeting children where they are while providing experiences that encourage growth. We believe children should have ample time to play freely, fostering independence, imagination, and social-emotional development.

“Nature School” or “Nature-Based Education” is an approach to learning that is child-led, with educational goals achieved through experiences in nature. Connecting children with the natural world fosters compassion and reverence, while participating in purposeful activities builds self-confidence and independence.

Environmental education—fostering respect for and curiosity about the plant, animal, and mineral kingdoms—and developing all domains of the child (physical, social, emotional, cognitive, aesthetic, and spiritual) through multi-sensory experiences are at the heart of our program.

Fully immersive outdoor play develops not only the five senses (hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling) but all eight senses, which include the vestibular system (body movement), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (condition of the body). Each of these is essential for young children to thrive.

How are educational goals met through experiences in nature?

Fine motor skills are developed using natural elements that also encourage imaginative play

Discovering a flower in the wild promotes observation and artistic opportunities

Scissor skills can be practiced in all types of weather

Letters, lines, numbers, and nature converge through multi-sensory experiences.

Letter and number recognition are integrated with nature to encourage fine and gross motor skills

Offering a variety of materials allows for creativity both academically and imaginatively

Line and letter writing in mud incorporates a lesson in both science and literacy

Real-life experiences provide a sense of accomplishment, enhance concentration, and offer opportunities to overcome challenges

Using a hammer and nails builds strength, hand-eye coordination, and perseverance

Opportunities to practice life skills can bring a sense of purpose and pride while fostering concentration

Loose parts play offers the opportunity to build, create, overcome challenges and problem solve

Artistic opportunities range from open-ended to purposeful

Integrating art and nature allows for children’s imaginations to come to life

Weaving fosters hand-eye coordination, mathematical concepts, and fine motor skills

Creating useful items that can be worn or used promotes pride and a sense of accomplishment

Nurturing a relationship with wildlife and native insects plants the seeds of patience, empathy, and compassion

A favorite activity is discovering wildlife

The excitement of the find is soon replaced by the compassion of gently handling something so much smaller than ourselves

Nature lets us be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It lets us feel special

Imaginative play is an integral part of childhood, fostering the development of social and emotional skills

Open-ended materials, which do not dictate what they should do or look like, encourage creative play

Structures are offered that invite imaginative play such as with use of this wooden spool

Simple but sturdy bakeware and bowls can take the place of plastic toys

How are educational goals met through experiences in nature?

Fine motor skills are developed using natural elements that also encourage imaginative play

Discovering a flower in the wild promotes observation and artistic opportunities

Scissor skills can be practiced in all types of weather

Letters, lines, numbers, and nature converge through multi-sensory experiences.

Letter and number recognition are integrated with nature to encourage fine and gross motor skills

Offering a variety of materials allows for creativity both academically and imaginatively

Line and letter writing in mud incorporates a lesson in both science and literacy

Real-life experiences provide a sense of accomplishment, enhance concentration, and offer opportunities to overcome challenges

Using a hammer and nails builds strength, hand-eye coordination, and perseverance

Sawing a pumpkin can bring a sense of purpose and pride while fostering concentration

Loose parts play offers the opportunity to build, create, overcome challenges and problem solve

Artistic opportunities range from open-ended to purposeful

Integrating art and nature allows for children’s imaginations to come to life

Weaving fosters hand-eye coordination, mathematical concepts, and fine motor skills

Creating useful items that can be worn or used promotes pride and a sense of accomplishment

Nurturing a relationship with wildlife and native insects plants the seeds of patience, empathy, and compassion

A favorite activity is discovering wildlife

The excitement of the find is soon replaced by the compassion of gently handling something so much smaller than ourselves

Nature lets us be a part of something bigger than ourselves. It lets us feel special

Imaginative play is an integral part of childhood, fostering the development of social and emotional skills

Open-ended materials, which do not dictate what they should do or look like, encourage creative play

Structures are offered that invite imaginative play such as with use of this wooden spool

Simple but sturdy bakeware and bowls can take the place of plastic toys

Children are children, not little adults, and should be treated as such. 

All children should be allowed the opportunity to grow, explore, discover, create, imagine, feel and thrive in nature.

Our hope… is that all of our students know how much they are valued and respected.

Our wants… are days filled with laughter, joy and a sense of well-being.

Our wish… is that each child leaves empowered knowing they are strong and capable human beings ready for the next stages of childhood, able to find solace in nature if necessary and filled with enough love to change the world.