Outoor & Play-Based Kindergarten

Your child is building the capacity for creative thinking, problem-solving, and learning. Play is an essential part of this process. Whether inventing games of make-believe in the classroom or splashing in puddles at Fair Oaks Park, we engage your child’s senses and emotions. This gentle introduction lays the groundwork for learning in the grades.

We know that spending time outdoors in a variety of weather conditions throughout our four seasons has a positive impact on the mental and emotional well-being of our youngest students, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm and tranquility. Time outdoors also helps children develop a deep sense of connection and respect for the environment, fostering environmental stewardship and a lifelong love for nature.

Our Kindergarten students spend more time outdoors than any of our early childhood students, and more time outside than almost all Kindergarten students in the metro area! Upwards of 70% of their day may be spent outdoors depending on the season, planned class activities, and the stamina of the group, which increases as the year progresses.

Through meaningful work, our kindergarten students develop a sense of competence and self-esteem as they contribute to the functioning of the classroom and witness the tangible results of their efforts, whether it be chopping vegetables on soup day or polishing a wooden spoon with beeswax. They experience themselves as an essential member of a social group–both needed and appreciated. Engaging in chores and meaningful work cultivates an inner sense of gratitude, respect, and care for the environment, fostering an understanding of our individual value and interdependence.