Dear Families,
Did you know that several of our Facebook posts have now gone viral? Many schools across the United States and the United Kingdom are now sharing our ideas and implementing them into their own programs. Some of the most shared photos and videos are of our Outdoor Classroom. We have received numerous messages from people praising us for allowing our learners to exercise their rights as a child to discover, explore, and play. We are a school that facilitates academics in many ways, but more importantly, understands that learning does not take place through a worksheet.
Equally, we know that the value of a child is not based on a test score, but how they are as a human being. Our goal is to fill their “toolbox” with mastery in reading, writing, and math, and also with a deep understanding so that they can critically think, have voice and choice in their learning, and the self-confidence that they can be change makers. By giving them the opportunities to discover things on their own, helping them to create a sense of wonderment about the world around them, and providing the opportunity to utilize their imagination through play, they will be more successful.
Play is not frivolous, it is essential for healthy brain development, which in turn makes children better learners when it comes to academics in school and life. Please click here to read one of hundreds of research articles on why we have created our Outdoor Classroom and allow our learners to play.
Warm regards,
Lisa Latimer
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