Bend Forest School

“BEND FOREST SCHOOL IS A NATURE IMMERSION, PLAY-BASED AND PLACE-BASED EARLY CHILDHOOD AND EARLY ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONNECTING CHILDREN TO NATURE, LEARNING THROUGH UNSTRUCTURED PLAY AND BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE

Bend Forest School has a goal of bringing innate “natural wildness” back into the lives of our young children. Inspired by the European model of Waldkindergartens (all outside, all weather, early childhood programs), we have created an inclusive nature immersion early childhood program that provides children with the opportunity for adult supported uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature.

This model allows children to build a personal connection with the natural world and those experiencing it with them. This closeness to the natural world and exposure to minimal risk supports a young child’s mental and physical health as well as problem solving skills, social-emotional learning, resiliencey, sensory, motor and cognitive development. As a place-based program, children continually discover their “classroom” as the seasons and environments change throughout the year and form a strong connection to place.

Our program holds high the importance of authentic play. Play is a child’s work and is the natural place and time for young children to learn. Hands-on play allows for children to access creativity, imagination, social and cognitive learning. We believe children learn best when allowed to let their interests guide their learning and therefore, our curriculum. The teacher serves as a support to the child (or children) in exploring and discovering interests and is often described as a “co-learner” to the children. The content and learning opportunities arise freely, with wonder and awe from both the children and adults.

At the heart of Bend Forest School’s philosophy is the belief that as individuals, young or old, we have the right to feel safe, connected and supported in our community and world. To this degree, we are an inclusive program that respects all abilities and backgrounds. As opportunities arise during our days, we provide social emotional teaching individually and to the group. To help support and connect with each child, we have small class sizes with child-to-adult ratios of 5:1. We provide children tools for safety, connection, and an ability to acknowledge and handle their emotions, and support others in theirs (empathy). We at Bend Forest School model respect for ourselves, others, and the natural world around us.”