The Ponder Bugs Nature Education Story
Why start a Forest and Nature School?
I have worked for 3 years at nature-based early years programs on Vancouver Island, and have always wanted to find a community who wants and needs this kind of educational programming. I met the folks who run Golden Ears Organic Farm and they told me about the high need for early-years educators in the area - so I answered the call!
I am excited to be pouring myself into making Ponder Bugs work for the community. I have an unwavering belief in the Forest and Nature School philosophy of learning and am currently in their practitioners course.
Philosophy & Pedagogy
Nature Immersion
Room to run and endless exploration
Nature provides the perfect back drop for experiential, sensory and imaginative learning that preschool aged children need to develop. In every season there is wonder and something new to discover. Teachers support children in depending their learning around the subjects they are most interested in. Birds, bugs, weather, water, families, it truly is endless what we will be inspired to learn about next. And through it all children develop a connection to the environment they as they become comfortable in it, and recognize its value. These youngsters will understand innately the complex ecology at work are likely to become the stewards of the future.
Play-Based
Proven to be necessary for whole-child development
It is through play that children practice physical, social, emotional and practical skills that will further them in holistic and academic development.
Given that children possess a drive to learn, through play they discover their strengths, weaknesses, interests and more. Internal motivation pushes them ahead in trying new things, in solo or social play. Teachers can guide children's play in a gentle, playful manner towards deeper thinking about their actions and lead them to resources to support their playful learning. Play-based learning ties with child-directed and inquiry-based learning in that the child dictates the activities they are interested in and ready to explore, through play or invitation by a teacher to join in activities relevant to the themes the child(ren) show interest in.
Join the Fun! Schedule and Rates
September 2018 - June 2019
Interested in sending your 3-5 year old to Ponder Bugs? We start in September and follow the School District #73 Calendar.
By starting in September, the children get to experience the warm end of summer and ease into the frost of fall and the chill of winter. They naturally acclimatize with the seasons and witness environmental changes firsthand. Every day something new will surprise them; from the leaves changing colour, the decay of summer's glorious green, the first sprouting mushroom and the first dusting of snow - never a boring day!
