Preschoolers will get both nature and nurture this fall through a new Willowell Foundation program in Monkton. The new Wren's Nest preschool is modeled on Willowell's outdoor high school, the Walden Project. Wren's Nest launches this fall as a one-day-a-week pilot taught by Bristol native Kathryn McEachen. Students will spend as much time outside as possible, using the outdoors a classroom. "Nature provides a lot of great learning opportunities," she explains. McEachen trained at the Wilderness Awareness School in Washington and says she has seen amazing transformations in kids who get outdoors; being outside boosts both their confidence and joyfulness. What does having a "holistic, sensory-based approach" mean practically? McEachen is planning activities such as tracking animals, making natural dyes, building shelters and cooking outdoors. The goal, she says, is teaching primitive skills at a preschool level.
This article was originally published in Seven Days' monthly parenting magazine, Kids VT.
Speaking of...
-
Environmental Officials Ask for Two More Years to Test Schools for PCBs
Mar 16, 2022 -
Vermont Will Lift School Masking Guidance on March 14
Mar 3, 2022 -
Schools With High Vax Rates Can Lift Mask Requirements Soon
Feb 15, 2022 -
U.S. Education Chief Swings By Burlington Schools, Vaccine Clinic
Nov 19, 2021 -
Video: A New Era for the House of LeMay
Nov 4, 2021 - More »
Comments
Comments are closed.
Since 2014, Seven Days has allowed readers to comment on all stories posted on our website. While we’ve appreciated the suggestions and insights, the time has come to shut them down — at least temporarily.
While we champion free speech, facts are a matter of life and death during the coronavirus pandemic, and right now Seven Days is prioritizing the production of responsible journalism over moderating online debates between readers.
To criticize, correct or praise our reporting, please send us a letter to the editor. Or send us a tip. We’ll check it out and report the results.
Online comments may return when we have better tech tools for managing them. Thanks for reading.