Our Learning Philosophy
Homeschool Forest School
At Take Root Forest School, learning grows from the intersection of Nature, Place, Self, and Community. Rather than following a traditional curriculum, our learning program unfolds through the rhythms of the seasons and the curiosity, wonder, and discoveries of the children themselves.
Our teachers and nature guides carefully observe, listen, and build upon children’s interests, creating meaningful learning experiences that are deeply connected to the natural world and our local community. Together, children and educators explore, ask questions, solve problems, create, and grow as a learning community.
Guided by the seasonal cycles, local ecology, and each child’s stage of development, our teachers weave language arts, mathematics, science, history, cultural studies, ecology, and environmental stewardship into rich, hands-on, place-based experiences. Stories, songs, movement, games, projects, nature-based activities, and imaginative play become opportunities for meaningful, interdisciplinary learning where subjects are experienced as connected rather than separate.
While learning at Take Root is child-led and responsive, it is also intentional. Each age group is supported by thoughtfully designed objectives rooted in child development, educational best practices, and age-appropriate learning goals. Our curriculum nurtures all five domains of child development—physical, cognitive, communication, social-emotional, and adaptive—helping children build confidence, resilience, creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.
Rather than standing at the front of the classroom, our teachers serve as guides and facilitators, scaffolding experiences that encourage children to explore, inquire, collaborate, and discover. Learning happens through play, conversation, observation, reflection, projects, and authentic experiences that inspire children to develop a deep connection with nature, themselves, and one another.
Our approach is informed by a diverse collection of holistic educational philosophies and resources, including Forest School, Wild Learning, Blossom & Root, Oak Meadow, Enki Education, How to Teach Nature Journaling, and many others. These resources support—but never replace—the greatest teachers we know: the children, the seasons, our community, and the natural world.
Homeschool Forest School Flow *varies per class/group
| Arrival – Play, Community Circle & Song |
| Morning Meeting, Snack |
| MORNING BLOCK – Focused in the Forest or Free Range in the Forest (group choice) |
| Lunch |
| AFTERNOON BLOCK – Focused in the Forest or Free Range in the Forest (group choice) |
| Walk Out, Closing Song, Dismissal |
Homeschool Forest School involves bringing together two main times of the day: Focused in the Forest Time & Free Range in the Forest Time. Each day the groups are able to experience both of these learning models.
Focused in the Forest Time
Focused Forest Time begins our morning with rhythm and intention. Through circle, storytelling, and a thoughtfully designed main lesson or project, children are invited into meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that may include reading, writing, math, science, social studies, arts, and craft.
This time is guided by the teacher and shaped by the developmental needs, skills, and interests of the group. Children are supported as individuals within a shared learning experience, with attention to pacing, engagement, and creating a safe, supportive environment where each child can grow with confidence.
Free Range in the Forest Time
During Free Range Forest Time, children move into more open-ended, child-led exploration and play. Teachers may offer invitations for learning—such as nature-based projects, woodworking, fiber arts – finger-knitting, or other “blanket” activities—that children may choose to join or leave as they follow their own interests. The children may also choose to engage in play of their choice: building forts, playing games , climbing, or resting during this time.
This is a balance of guidance and freedom: teachers remain present and responsive while children practice independence, creativity, collaboration, and self-directed learning. It is a time for deep engagement, imagination, and the development of autonomy within a supportive forest community.
SCHEDULES CREATE ROUTINE, ROUTINE CREATES FLOW
Our Learning Philosophy
Family Forest School
The Family Forest School program is rooted in play as the primary way young children learn, explore, and make sense of the world. In this stage of development, play is not separate from learning—it is the learning.
Teachers gently guide children through a predictable daily rhythm, weaving together song, storytelling, movement, and nature-based exploration. This rhythm helps children feel secure while supporting the development of social-emotional skills, communication, and a growing sense of connection to others, to the natural world, and to themselves.
Through hands-on experiences in the forest, children begin to understand their place within a wider community and ecosystem. They build relationships with peers and adults, develop confidence in their independence, and cultivate a sense of wonder and belonging in nature.
Learning unfolds through open-ended exploration and intentional invitations such as art and craft, building and construction, tool introduction, mud kitchen play, digging, and imaginative outdoor play. Early literacy and numeracy emerge naturally through storytelling, read-alouds, song, repetition, language-rich interaction, and shared experiences. As children engage with the forest environment, they develop foundational skills in spatial awareness, sensory integration, observation, categorization, counting, and early problem-solving. These early experiences create a strong foundation for future learning in all academic areas, while nurturing curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.
Family Forest School Flow *varies per class/group
| Arrival & Community Play |
| Morning Circle with Song, Story, Movement |
| Snack |
| Free Range in the Forest – Deep Play, Invitation Stations and Blanket Projects |
| Second Snack/Lunch |
| Dismissal |
Throughout the year, each teacher sets the scene and holds the space in order to build, maintain and nourish a healthy habitat in the Forest School Ecosystem. The relationships established are the core of the forest school values. As a team, Take Root Forest School builds, maintains and nourishes these relationships – creating community by integrating experiential, holistic activities, lessons, projects and games and by maintaining the Three R’s (Rules of Respect, Routine, Rhythm) with consistency and gentle guidance.