What is Nature-based Early Childhood Education?
Nature-based Early Childhood Education is learning that is rooted in the local natural world and uses nature as the organizing principle to address both early childhood development and the development of an ecological identity. Nature is both the classroom and a teacher, and learning happens almost exclusively outdoors; where there are endless opportunities to grow and learn. In nature, children explore, jump, balance, solve problems, learn empathy, cooperate with others, and play, all while engaging in early literacy, science, math, and social emotional learning. While predictable rituals and routines guide children into learning, nature-based education allows children’s interests and curiosity to direct the day’s activities and inform the curriculum.
There is a growing body of research that shows that this type of frequent play in nature-based early childhood education programs stimulates all of a child’s developmental domains, including their cognitive, creative, physical, social and emotional, and spiritual development. Children discover the wonders of the landscape surrounding them, while also discovering their inner landscape through meaningful relationships with mentors, classmates, and nature.
Thorne Nature Preschool Educational Philosophy
Thorne Nature Preschool provides an early childhood educational experience that initiates young children into a deep relationship with the natural world and plants the seed for life-long environmental stewardship.
Through daily immersion in nature with caring mentors and a focus on supporting early childhood development, Thorne Nature Preschool fosters the growth of the whole child: physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and moral development, while cultivating a profound connection to nature.
Utilizing integrated academic and social curriculum inspired by nature, Thorne Nature Preschool nurtures the well-being of each child while preparing them to succeed in school and in life.
Thorne believes that every child is a unique and competent individual, who is eager to explore and learn, and comes equipped with a natural and wonder-filled curiosity about life.
By fostering children’s natural love of learning, Thorne Nature Preschool strives to develop prepared, capable, confident, empathetic individuals who are self-directed learners, and are inspired to make a difference in the world.
Core Beliefs
Nature nurtures the whole child; time spent in nature is the best way to foster development in children’s physical health, emotional well-being, creativity, curiosity, sense of belonging, and cognitive development.
Nature is the ideal environment for learning and growth: We consider nature to be one of our teachers and children will develop the skills needed to succeed in school and life.
Immersive experiences in nature cultivate connection and care: Frequent, meaningful interactions in nature especially in childhood, while working alongside supportive mentors, cultivate a lifelong environmental ethic.
Place-based learning builds community and responsibility: When children connect deeply with their local community and build relationships with their people and places, they build a strong foundation for lifelong responsible citizenship.
Children are the environmental stewards and leaders of tomorrow: Early experiences in nature inspire confidence, compassion, curiosity, and skills needed to care for our planet.
Nature is a powerful force that demands our respect: By guiding children to understand changing environments, assess risks, and understand the boundaries of the natural world, we empower them to coexist safely, responsibly, and confidently outdoors.
Educational Approach
The Thorne Nature Preschool staff promotes learning by:
Utilizing nature as the organizing principle for all learning experiences.
Integrating developmentally appropriate best practices in early childhood and environmental education.
Focusing on all aspects of child development:
Cognitive - Nurturing children’s innate love of learning through rich, experiential, educational, emergent curriculum that follows children’s interests and curiosity.
Social and Emotional - Fostering self-confidence and empathy for others through self-awareness, collaboration, conflict resolution, and finding solutions.
Physical - Building resiliency and promoting health through active play, appropriate risk-taking, and self-regulation as children experience nature in all seasons and weather conditions.
Creative - Encouraging creativity and curiosity through art, storytelling, and imaginative play.
Spiritual - Cultivating reverence, awe, and respect for the natural world through direct experience with the wonders of nature.
Providing an environment which encourages children to actively explore, play, discover, express themselves, and take responsibility for their actions.
Providing mindful mentorship that demonstrates care for ourselves, each other, and the world around us, while appreciating the individuality of each child and celebrating their uniqueness.
Seasonal Learning Curriculum
The Seasonal Learning Arc at Thorne Nature Preschool grounds early childhood learning in the natural rhythms of the changing seasons. Rather than following a rigid calendar, our curriculum flows alongside nature's cycles—aligning teacher invitations and emergent child-led interests with what is actively unfolding in the world around us.
Connected to Nature: Deepens children’s understanding of natural cycles through seasonal themes, phenomena, and observations (e.g., autumn leaf decay, winter tracking, spring growth and life cycles).
Consistently Emerging Interests: Built upon topics and questions that naturally capture children's curiosity year after year as the seasons shift.
Integrative & Place-Based: Fosters academic readiness, social-emotional growth, and a lasting relationship with the natural environment by connecting daily play directly to local ecosystems.
Resources
Follow this link to learn more about nature-based education, see instructions for some of our favorite activities, and view helpful articles and books.