How do we prepare our children for entrepreneurship, high-tech jobs, and leadership jobs in the ever-changing information age?
At the Ann Arbor Forest School, learning takes place in a dynamic and natural setting: the world around us! Our place- and play-based curriculum is focused on developing kindergarten readiness. We’re committed to strengthening children’s confidence and skills so that they become agile problem-solvers and ready learners. Working and playing outside together, we intentionally build skills in the following areas:
Skills needed for future jobs
- Creative problem-solving
- Grit, drive, perseverance
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Teamwork
- Self-regulation
- Confidence
Academic performance
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Creative Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
We keep the class size intentionally small, capped at twelve children, so that we can provide each child with ample individual attention. We’re able to nurture individual and group learning opportunities all morning long, in a variety of different nature spots.
The Benefits of Nature
Increasingly, studies and data support the Ann Arbor Forest School’s model of outdoor learning. In an era where kids interact with screens more than with people, and rarely go outside, the Ann Arbor Forest School helps kids build a strong foundation of compassion, curiosity, and connectedness.
Research shows that children who play outdoors:
- demonstrate greater levels of creativity, cooperation, conflict resolution, and leadership.
- are less likely to suffer obesity and less likely to contract diabetes.
- are less stressed and have an increased attentional capacity.
- tend to be happier than those who are not.
* All data taken from the Department of Natural Resources’ Reconnecting Children and Nature.