Nature-School…?

A nature school is an educational approach that places the natural world at the heart of a child’s learning experience. Rather than confining education to four walls, nature schools use outdoor environments—woodlands, parks, gardens, and natural play spaces—as the classroom. Children spend extended time outside, exploring, observing, and engaging with the rhythms of the earth in every season. This fosters not only physical development and resilience, but also deep curiosity, empathy, and a profound connection to the natural world.

The goal of a nature school is to nurture the whole child—physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively—through hands-on, experience-rich learning. Activities are often child-led and open-ended: climbing, digging, storytelling, building with natural materials, or observing wildlife. These experiences promote independence, problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional regulation in ways that traditional classrooms often can't replicate.

At its core, nature school is about slowing down, tuning into the present moment, and restoring a child’s sense of wonder. It helps children grow as caretakers of the earth and of themselves—grounded, capable, and attuned to the world around them. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, nature school offers a return to simplicity, presence, and relationship—with nature, with others, and with one’s own unfolding.