About
My Backyard Playschool
"My Backyard Playschool” is a play based, outdoor pre-school with influences from forest schooling and educator Charlotte Mason. I use monthly nature topics from Well Educated Heart, and add in some occupational therapy. We are outside 95% of the time, in all types of weather. This is not for everyone! We take risks, get dirty, scrape knees, and get uncomfortably cold and hot. But in doing this we build resilience, strengthen muscles and bones, develop fine and gross motor skills, and mature the vestibular and proprioceptive senses, which are foundational to personal and academic growth. We memorize poems, sing nursery rhymes, and have a lot of self-directed play time. I sneak in some academics; however, that is not my focus. Social skills, physical development, emotional intelligence, problem solving, creativity, curiosity, self control, healthy habits, good communication, and resilience are my priorities.
About Me
I have been passionate about raising and educating children for over 30 years. I have a Bachelor of Science from BYU, where I majored in Elementary Education. I geek out on books about child development, and am half Peruvian. My experience includes running a preschool co-op in California, public-school teacher grades 2 & 4, reading specialist, private math and reading tutor, Chess Coach, Cub Scout Leader, and most recently, a homeschool mom.
Academics are important, but not everything. Earlier is not always better, especially if it is at the expense of intangibles like joy, confidence, gratitude, or curiosity.
What do we do during Playschool?
Play, play, play!
At least half of our time is unstructured free play. Don’t send children in cute outfits that need to stay nice. We love to get dirty! Our mud kitchen is a favorite activity.
I’ll mix things up with scarves, bubbles, shovels, wooden mallets, etc. Often nature provides entertainment with leaves, puddles, snow, acorns, logs, etc.
We have several chunks of structured time throughout the day. At those times we sing, tell stories, repeat nursery rhymes, paint, make a craft, draw in our nature journals, listen to a read aloud, go on a walk, or play a group game. If I notice an unproductive social habit, I will make up a story to share at the next class addressing it. I have found teaching stories to be helpful both preemptively and after the fact.
Snack time is an important part of our day. We focus on etiquette and learning to try new things. I primarily serve whole foods like organic fruits and veggies, pop corn, pumpkin seeds, as well as home made muffins and chicken noodle soup. I keep treats to a minimum, and I don’t offer food with artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup. My daughter has Celiac disease, so we keep a gluten free kitchen. I ask that you not send any food to playschool unless there is a medical need we’ve discussed, including birthday treats.
