Natural Classroom Program

The mission of the Stretch Natural Classroom is to create the space, time, and freedom that lets young children to build a relationship with nature and each other, allowing children to see themselves as a part of the natural world rather than separate from it. Through this, we hope to plant the seed of stewardship in this next generation, while supporting Stretch’s commitment to cultivating a sense of wonder, magic, and ultimately a love of learning.

There has been a lot of research done on the impact of time in nature on children. Children who play in nature have been shown to be smarter, happier, more attentive, and less anxious. Playing in nature builds confidence, promotes creativity and imagination, teaches responsibility, broadens senses, increases focus and a sense of wonder, and reduces stress and fatigue. (Source: Child Mind Institute)

The mission of the Stretch Natural Classroom is to allow young children to see themselves as a part of the natural world rather than separate from it.

If your child is in our 2-day or 3-day program, they will start exploring in the Natural Classroom once/week once they have settled into the preschool experience. All of the children in our 5-day programs explore in the forest twice/week.

When out in The Presidio forest, we strive to give children freedom in their explorations and the space to challenge their bodies physically in ways we cannot here at school. We are very intentional in creating space for them to explore and be free, and we always remain certain that they are safe. Children may be very tired at the end of their day in nature. It is amazing to see how the children build their stamina, endurance, and confidence throughout their time in the Presidio. It is also wonderful to witness how they come to know and love our magical urban forest.

As with all elements of our program, the structure of the program in the Natural Classroom is emergent and develops from the observations and interests of the children.

Some parents are initially curious about the curriculum and structure of the program in the Natural Classroom. The mission behind this unique program of connecting young children with nature is to give them time to explore freely. As with all elements of our program, it is emergent and develops from the observations and interests of the children. Certain core routines of nature connection guide our time in the forest. These routines include gratitude circles, bird sits, nature journaling, and storytelling. Over time these core routines in nature help to connect our community to nature, a sense of place in our urban forest, and finally to their future interest in protecting our natural world.

While the teachers have threads they are following and interests they are observing, there is not a set agenda to the Natural Classroom other than to encourage children to explore and connect with nature. As the year progresses, the teachers may guide specific explorations and experiences to further the work they are developing with the children. Parents inevitably hear about the different dimensions of the experiences in nature in our journals as the year develops. This intention of free exploration is based on extensive thought and research on how children at this age play when connected to the natural world and the benefits that result.