Our day begins by greeting our furry and feathered friends around the farm and collecting eggs. Children are given the opportunity to interact with the animals as much as they’re comfortable with. Caring for and interacting with the animals on the farm is an important aspect of the program and carries endless benefits

We then venture our way to the bell tent area where an outdoor classroom( that is is far different from a traditional classroom) is set up. Here children can freely choose from a broad range of Montessori materials and nature focused activities inside and outside of the tent.

Outside the tent, you may see children enjoying muddy farm play, building their own creations at the woodworking area and building and creating their own play with loose parts and expressing themselves through messy art at the easel. Occasionally, the sheep or chickens might sneak up to the pasture to say hello.

Inside the tent, you might find children engaged in activities they have chosen from the shelves working in groups, with me or by themselves. Some may be preparing foods, arranging flowers, washing boots, sewing, building with Montessori sensorial materials, counting sticks, tracing letters in the dirt, building words and silly sentences, playing rhyming and phonetic games, or working on seasonal nature plant or animal activities. I believe child led learning is where the magic happens - I thoughtfully create the environment based on the interests of the children and make that the ultimate “teacher”. I am there to guide as needed and introduce new activities usually individually to a child.

Some days we might do a seasonal activity all together such as baking an apple pie, sunflower harvesting and roasting, foraging rosehips, elderberries and other edibles on the farm for tea, pumpkin carving, and gardening in the spring.

Then, we enjoy our packed lunches outside on a picnic blanket under the fresh air or on the colder days inside the tent cozy beside the fire stove. 

After this, we venture our way down the hill to the forest for free play. This is an essential part of our day; this is not “recess”. I view free and unstructured time in nature equally as important as any activity at Little Farm Nature School. On our walk down to the forest you might see us stop and investigate different plants, insects or animals that we see. Once we arrive at our forest you might see children initiate their own games with each other, build their little community, help a younger friend in some way, while others may practice being leaders and others may engage in risky play. Myself AND another mom helper will be overseeing this time of the day and make proper safety precautions. 

We end our day of exploration at Little Farm Nature School to greet you back at the bell tent.