Forest School on the 'high seas' — In the Park

Rowing our boat on the high seas.

OUR MISSION:

Northeast LA Forest School is an equitable Urban Forest Preschool for all

At Northeast LA Forest School, we seek to reverse the "indoorification of childhood" by providing real-life, inquiry-based explorations in nature. Children can indulge their curiosity, let it guide their explorations, and build their scientific thinking through trial-and-error play. We strive to create a space where children can learn through experience, with teachers they can trust to keep them safe while fostering their curiosity and independence. We hope our program fosters a sense of community and a lifelong love of the natural world.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Northeast LA Forest School uses an active, experiential learning model inspired by the European Forest Kindergarten model and set in Los Angeles's urban park landscape. Our curriculum is emergent and based on our students' growing curiosities. Our days center on hikes and explorations and offer rich opportunities for social-emotional development. Our teachers model social behaviors, guide children through conflict, and help children balance their risk assessments. Teachers are present as observers and help to remove hazards that children cannot handle.

Our student body ranges in age from 2-6. This mixed-age setting supports learners' and leaders' natural development and has been found to foster motivation, self-esteem, achievement, and community. As children grow, they can see themselves becoming leaders while discovering empathy for those who were once where they are now. When we break into smaller, age-based groups during inquiries, our teachers are ready with the differentiation skills needed to engage children at different ages and stages.

We lead with expectations so children know their boundaries rather than discovering them by “getting into trouble.” We model cooperative behavior, healthy social interactions, and empathy, and we teach safety skills. We teach children about risk and how to manage it. During explorations, our teachers intervene not to instill fear, but to help children understand the consequences of their actions. We work toward emotional awareness to help children resolve conflicts. We also understand that children often become overwhelmed. Nature is a great place to learn self-soothing skills and take a deep breath when you need one.

Forest Schools can build a foundation for academic success. Children who are given the chance to try, fail, and try again learn resilience, initiative, and inventiveness. Outdoor play fosters problem-solving skills, social competence, and an openness to learning new things. Transitions, participation, empathy, and engaging in a group learning setting are all necessary kindergarten skills we practice daily at NELA Forest School.

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