Throughout the Day
Dynamic learning guided by the children
Our days are spent outdoors, but we also provide an indoor space with moveable furniture and cushions when the children feel an activity is best suited for that space.
Each day brings a varied set of workshops and activities depending on the mentors rostered on for the Term and where the children are at in the development of their projects. Children could be continuing a project they've been working on, or starting something new.
We offer hands-on activities and projects (instigated by the children and developed as a team). Learning occurs through experimentation, exploration, movement, building, workshops, story-telling, role play, music, art, robiotics, cooking, gardening and so on. We ensure the children are exposed to a wide variety of activities that cover everything that is offered in the National Curriculum and beyond. The scope for topics and activities is endless, bound only by the kids imaginations! It's dynamic and inspiring!
There is always a creative art-space and garden-space available so that the children can follow their inner compass, even if it leads away from the group activity. Anytime they feel inspired to dig in the garden, get creative in the art-space, relax with a book, or they just need to move and dance within the space, they can!
Skill development such as reading, writing, mathematics and science are woven throughout the project work, meeting the needs of both parents and children. Loads of fun activities are designed to help convey concepts (i.e. maths and science) through movement and creativity. Facilitators encourage creative and critical thinking, problem solving and imaginative play, which leads to discovery, holistic development and continuously integrating knowledge. Learning is natural and flowing and can change pace at any time. It can move from gentle, quiet and soft exploration to a raging flurry of excited ideas and back again. The spaciousness of our format allows for and encourages flexibility and adaptability.
We work with the traditional custodians of this land to weave culture, language, art and story into our day. By embracing the teachings of our first people and working together, children understand the importance of the elders (past and present), and to be authentically respectful in a holistic environment
We use strategies to enable each child to understand the way in which they uniquely grow and help to nurture this through reflexive learning and portfolios. The main job of the facilitators throughout the day is to facilitate communication and problem - solving, focusing on developing social and emotional intelligence, fostering supportive interactions. Children are continuously supported to problem-solve through situations (with the help of tools such as micro meditations), ensuring they feel empowered and capable of working through things in a positive and respectful way.
Small workshops will also include communication or problem-solving activities (through art or role play etc).
For Example: Tom suggested a few weeks back that the group build a fort and the kids loved that idea and have been developing it Nature Play workshop time. They've researched and engineered ideas, drawn up plans, and worked out what else they need. They've brainstormed fundraising ideas to raise the money to buy some of the materials and have decided to run a food stall at the local market this weekend.