FOREST KINDERGARTEN

Services Children Ages 4.5 - 6

Our Forest Kindergarten program at KidWings Nature offers a unique and enriching educational experience for young children, emphasizing life skills, socio-emotional learning, and a strong connection with nature. We believe that children thrive when given the opportunity to learn in a natural environment, allowing them to develop essential skills in a more holistic and engaging manner.

Key Focus Areas

Socio-Emotional Learning

We understand the importance of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Through group activities, cooperative play, and reflection in the natural setting, children learn empathy, effective communication, and emotional regulation. This equips them with tools to navigate the complex social landscape they will encounter in their kindergarten and beyond.

Life

Skills

Our program prioritizes the development of life skills, instilling in children a sense of responsibility, independence, and resilience. Through hands-on experiences in the forest, children learn valuable skills that will serve them well in their future educational journey and in life.

Connection with Nature

Nature is our classroom. We encourage children to explore and appreciate the natural world, fostering a deep and lasting connection with the environment. This connection not only promotes environmental stewardship but also enhances their overall well-being.

Physical Development

Our forest kindergarten program helps children develop balance, coordination, proprioception, and fine and gross motor skills in a way that traditional indoor settings cannot replicate. Climbing trees, building with natural materials, and exploring uneven terrain all contribute to a strong physical foundation.

Enriched Kindergarten Readiness

By focusing on these key areas, we prepare children for kindergarten in an alternative, more enriched way. They enter formal education with a strong foundation in life skills, socio-emotional intelligence, and physical development, setting them up for success in the classroom and beyond. We introduced letters and numbers through engaging oral storytelling and full-body, sensory activities. This experiential method empowers children to grasp foundational concepts in an organic and enjoyable way.

Throughout the program, children develop invaluable skills like plant identification, tracking animals, locating nests, observing moon phases, cultivating food from seeds, and crafting useful tools from materials found in the natural world.

Our class content is a vibrant tapestry of stories and games, changing weekly to keep the excitement alive. While we introduce new elements regularly, we also celebrate the power of repetition, as children thrive on the comforting familiarity of certain songs and games throughout the year. We've carefully curated songs and games that blend fun animal lessons, seasonal observations, a profound connection to the Earth, and even elements in Spanish, expanding your child's horizons.

At Kidwings Nature Program, we invite you to embark on a journey that goes beyond traditional education – a journey where your child's education is intertwined with the magic of the natural world, offering them an enriching and holistic foundation for life.

KidWings is a state-approved vendor for numerous local charter schools.

Sample Class Rhythm

  • Welcome Circle

  • Songs

  • Snack

  • Nature

  • Exploration walk

  • Free Play

  • Place-based

  • Guided Lesson & Activity

  • Lunch

  • Storytime

  • Farewell Circle

Location

We are a nomadic- style school, we rotate locations every day within the San Diego City Central Area.

Students can explore a variety of local, natural places. Children are exposed to a diversity of environments, structures, materials, and challenges as they engage in activities in locations throughout San Diego such as parks, farms, community gardens, and historic places. Pick ups and drop off varies everyday depending on the location.

Some Locations:

  • Different Parks and Open spaces within San Diego Central, No more than 18 miles from Downtown SD

  • Around Balboa Park and Old TownNorth ParkCollege AreaTierrasanta

  • Local Beaches

  • Lakes

  • Canyons and more…

*Exact Locations will be disclosed when parents are enrolled.

NATURE SESSIONS

Weekly: Tu/Th or M/W

PER MONTH

Non Refundable $100 Admin & Materials Fee

Non Refundable Deposit that covers Last Month.

**Enrollment remains active until the end of the school year (June) or until a 30 day advance written notice of withdrawal.