I began teaching groups of young children over 36 years ago. When I began my search for a peer learning environment that was welcoming, inclusive, and created a gentle and encouraging environment to thrive in, I was disheartened by what I observed in that search. I could not find what I deemed to be an encouraging and emotionally healthy environment. After receiving encouragement and mentorship I developed and founded my own program, to bring all the opportunities to children that I knew was healthy for a well rounded growth. I was dedicated to creating and maintaining a peer community that taught children positive interaction, kindness in words and deeds, and taught children the skills of friendship. In many community peer programs, I continue to recognize the absence of teaching emotional health, as well as the absence of teaching children how to reframe their verbal and physical interactions to make them more thoughtful and kind. This same unguided interaction is also present on any playground, when we stop to listen. I knew there was a better way — a kinder way — to being, learning, speaking, socializing, and creating peer relationships. I saw a need to cultivate and teach a more compassionate and thoughtfully intentional manner for children to learning and develop their social skills. Very few programs teach children how to interact and speak to one another and to others. That is where I begin my teaching — gently setting an example and assisting children in connecting their heart with their spoken words and actions, thus creating an environment where children are free to learn. I have cultivated a calmer, all-inclusive, and bully-free learning and playing environment where they are then free to discover. I am committed to providing each child with days that will nurture their growth and development.

This is a beautiful process to see, and one of the outcomes it provides is the freedom and ability for the children to wholeheartedly use their imaginations and speak their ideas more readily and openly, without the worry of rejection from their peers. It opens the children up to learning by eliminating the distraction of needing to defend themselves from hurtful interactions. Hurtful interactions absorb energy and refocus the whole group in a negative direction. In the Forest School, we have found a way of refocusing the potentially negative energy thus creating a much more effective and kind learning environment. All around, it is a wonderful way of teaching, learning, and playing. From here, we are then free to have fun.

I committed our entire learning day to Nature Immersion over two decades ago. I was hearing more and more children protesting about being outside, not wanting to go on walks, and floundering with comfort in what their bodies were capable of doing. As a result, they were missing so much of the experience of innate learning that’s provided by playing and exploring in nature. I decided that I needed to do more for my students experience in childhood in this regard. After researching evidence that shows the importance that natural world exploration brings to the development of children and the health it brings into their life, I learned how to switch my practice of teaching a little bit to be more immersed in nature. I was already practicing much of what I have learned about natural world experiences with my students, but knew how much more they would gain by fully immersing our days in nature. I was now able to convey to more parents how important environmental learning and tactile discovery is for our children.

It is essential to our health and well-being in so many ways and it helps children tremendously in their ability to learn. I learned that the artificial environments that we so lovingly created for our children were leaving them starving for experiences that the natural world alone could bring to them. We were missing key developments and independence, and doing our children a disservice by preparing them for the next steps of intellectual growth with such narrow confines of four walls. Children who play, grow, and learn in FSMN are thriving and developing beyond their age. And they are learning, laughing, and growing strong with healthy minds, bodies, and spirits.

With all of that said, I am encouraged in that you may have a few questions. Please feel free to call and we can discuss the options available to inspire your child.

To learn more or to enroll in The Forest School Nature Immersion Early Years Play and Education please call Michele del Castillo at 612-920-6330 or email michele@forestschoolmn.org.