How Many People Here Are Interested...

[Heidi]

In incorporating aspects of any of this into their programs?

-Reggio Emilia
-Natural elements
-Nature hikes, outdoor programs, forest "kindergarten" type stuff
-Waldorf

They are all sort of intertwined, and I see a big movement happening where more of us are trying to live more naturally, or teach more naturally, or offer more wood vs. plastic, natural colors, less electronics, etc.

Can we get a list of people who are interested? If so, maybe we could ask Michael to start a section for sharing links, ideas, etc.?

[jenboo]

Interested! my grand opening of my home daycare is Monday
I have mostly plastic stuff right now because it made my start up costs affordable. I plan on weeding out the plastic as fast as I can.

[AcornMama]

Definitely interested!

This is exactly what I'm trying to do with my preschool. I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be, but I'm working at it!

[childcaremom]

I do and am interested in doing/learning more! Especially Reggio.

[blandino]

I actually promised myself that any new toys coming into the daycare would be wooden or at least natural (maybe some play animals, or musical instruments as an exception).

[Willow]

We live on near 50 acres out in the country. The property was clear cut long ago for farming but when hubs built the house he started restoring it. Since then, and the three years I've been around we've planted many thousands of trees, dug out the three ponds (and plan to do that again in the next few years), planted large chunks to CRP to restore native prairie grass habitat as well as farm food plots for wildlife (helps our hunting but also supports local deer populations through tough winters. We have an ENORMOUS garden the kids help me plant in indoor greenhouse in early spring, plant outdoors in late spring, weed throughout summer, harvest, prep, and eat.

That passion for nature is a HUGE part of my "program." Weather permitting we get outside for nature walks and exploring daily. I believe with all my heart that kids need to get back to the very basics if at all possible and those that do are blessed for having the opportunity.

Best opportunity to date, they got to watch a doe give birth to a fawn just off the backyard. I never thought I'd ever see anything like that but to watch the kids all marvel at the sight brought tears to my eyes.....

The planet needs kids who grow up with that awareness, respect and joy.

[Unregistered]

yes, natural elements

[daycarediva]

I actually promised myself that any new toys coming into the daycare would be wooden or at least natural (maybe some play animals, or musical instruments as an exception).

I made the same promise to myself. My exceptions include legos because my kids are ALL obsessed with them.

We live on near 50 acres out in the country. The property was clear cut long ago for farming but when hubs built the house he started restoring it. Since then, and the three years I've been around we've planted many thousands of trees, dug out the three ponds (and plan to do that again in the next few years), planted large chunks to CRP to restore native prairie grass habitat as well as farm food plots for wildlife (helps our hunting but also supports local deer populations through tough winters. We have an ENORMOUS garden the kids help me plant in indoor greenhouse in early spring, plant outdoors in late spring, weed throughout summer, harvest, prep, and eat.

That passion for nature is a HUGE part of my "program." Weather permitting we get outside for nature walks and exploring daily. I believe with all my heart that kids need to get back to the very basics if at all possible and those that do are blessed for having the opportunity.

Best opportunity to date, they got to watch a doe give birth to a fawn just off the backyard. I never thought I'd ever see anything like that but to watch the kids all marvel at the sight brought tears to my eyes.....

The planet needs kids who grow up with that awareness, respect and joy.

ITA and LOVE that you can provide this for children. AWESOME! I am also jealous of 50 acres! I am such a country girl and I wish you could even BUY that many acres locally.


I am definitely Montessori inspired, we are outside and exploring nature daily. I live on 1.5acres, and we go hiking in the woods with trails, play in the dirt and try to be as green as possible. We garden and make (together) fresh foods. In spring we get chicks to raise (and donate to a local farm) every year.

My biggest goal in the next 5 years is to set up a three season outdoor classroom with log benches, tables and chairs, a large mud kitchen area and outdoor music area with natural elements. We planted willow stalks this year for an awning and I have my fingers crossed it grows fast and fills in. The kids LOVE to play there.

My biggest obstacles of course, are time, money and parental support. I have parents that TRULY believe their child CANNOT learn their letters the 'right way' by drawing them in the dirt and that they NEED dittos. (as young as 2!)

[littleblossoms]

very intrested.

Actually i don't have baterry operated toys.

I am now bringing into my daycare real kitchen stuff from my kitchen.

I do alot of planting from seeds with my daycare kids and then taking care of the plant like watering

[Leanna]

Very interested. This is the direction I want to continue to go in. I have a pretty good collection of wooden and cloth toys and natural materials and am slowly weeding out plastics. My outdoor area needs a lot of work however.

Ditto on the Legos though.

[AcornMama]

We live on near 50 acres out in the country. The property was clear cut long ago for farming but when hubs built the house he started restoring it. Since then, and the three years I've been around we've planted many thousands of trees, dug out the three ponds (and plan to do that again in the next few years), planted large chunks to CRP to restore native prairie grass habitat as well as farm food plots for wildlife (helps our hunting but also supports local deer populations through tough winters. We have an ENORMOUS garden the kids help me plant in indoor greenhouse in early spring, plant outdoors in late spring, weed throughout summer, harvest, prep, and eat.

That passion for nature is a HUGE part of my "program." Weather permitting we get outside for nature walks and exploring daily. I believe with all my heart that kids need to get back to the very basics if at all possible and those that do are blessed for having the opportunity.

Best opportunity to date, they got to watch a doe give birth to a fawn just off the backyard. I never thought I'd ever see anything like that but to watch the kids all marvel at the sight brought tears to my eyes.....

The planet needs kids who grow up with that awareness, respect and joy.

This sounds amazing! I'm trying to give my preschool a similar feel, but with two acres! Even just two acres of wood, daycare parents think it's a great location and atmosphere. I want to get some little wooden tables and workbenches so that we can tinker around with more stuff outdoors.

[AcornMama]

Best opportunity to date, they got to watch a doe give birth to a fawn just off the backyard. I never thought I'd ever see anything like that but to watch the kids all marvel at the sight brought tears to my eyes.....

The planet needs kids who grow up with that awareness, respect and joy.

Oh, and we have two little dwarf goats that my preschoolers LOVE watching. We'll be getting new chicks in the spring as well. Hoping to mesh nature/outdoor learning with homestead/eco-living for little ones. It's not your standard daycare approach, but for the right parents, it's a great fit!

[MBF]

I agree as well, this past year, I have begun to replace plastic toys with wooden and /or homemade things, i am so lucky my father is very handy at woodworking and has made us wonderful things(blocks that we painted, stands with a dowel that he can make people on with painted beads, wooden pretend cameras, to name a few) i am seeing a big difference in imaginative play! also, my mom make us cloth books and play mats, we are so lucky. I would love to see more ideas

[Play Care]

Very interested. This is the direction I want to continue to go in. I have a pretty good collection of wooden and cloth toys and natural materials and am slowly weeding out plastics. My outdoor area needs a lot of work however.

Ditto on the Legos though.

[snbauser]

I have begun to slowly transition at least the materials towards more natural and wooden materials as well as the overall tone of my room. Whenever I need to replace something or buy something new, I look for more muted colors and a more natural feel. Unfortunately my year isn't big enough and we live in a small subdivision so other than bringing in natural materials there isn't a whole lot I can do for the outside.