About My Backyard Playschool
My Backyard Playschool is a play-based, outdoor school with influences from forest schooling and educator Charlotte Mason. I use nature topics from the Well Educated Heart curriculum, and add in some occupational therapy. We are outside 95% of the time, in all types of weather. This is not for everyone! We will take risks, get dirty, scrape elbows, and be 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, 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, and academic readiness through nature and play are my focus. I firmly believe a foundation of curiosity, self-control, resilience, physical activity, healthy habits, and good communication skills give a child a solid foundation to launch into academics.
About me
I have a Bachelor of Science from BYU, where I majored in Elementary Education. My experience includes running a preschool co-op in California, public-school teaching grades 2nd & 4th, serving as a reading specialist, privately tutoring math and reading, and homeschooling. I love watching children grow and develop and am happy to give references upon request.
Academics are important, but not everything. I am a public-school teacher by profession, but have been concerned with the earlier and earlier push of academics. Much of the traditional 1st-grade curriculum is now taught in kindergarten. Earlier is not always better, especially at the expense of intangibles like joy, confidence, conflict resolution, gratitude, curiosity, or other soft skills. However, if you are concerned about your child's academics, I am available to discuss those needs starting in October, after I've had time to get to know your child.
What do we do during Playschool?
Curriculum
At least half the time will be unstructured free play. In addition, we have monthly nature topics such as stars, birds, trees, gardening, etc. from the Well Educated Heart nature rotations. These topics are springboards to little lessons, projects, and activities. We follow a daily routine that the kids pick up on quickly, alternating free play and structure.
Social Development
unstructured play
teaching stories
direct instruction when needed
If I see an underdeveloped or unproductive social habit, I will make up a story to share with the children the next class that addresses that topic. I have found it highly effective to teach though stories, both preemptively and after the fact.
Play, play, play!
Sing, memorize poems, tell stories, repeat nursery rhymes
Pause for a gratitude minute, enjoy read-a-louds
Learn to observe nature, introduce nature journaling
Play physical group games that get the kids running and jumping
Word games that develop pre-reading skills
Activities that encourage fine motor skills to strengthen the pincer grasps
Snack Time
Healthy food is offered at snack time, primarily consisting of organic fruits & vegetables, popcorn, nuts, seeds, home made muffins, and hot items like chicken noodle soup. Gluten free pretzels are also a favorite. I keep treats to a minimum and don't offer food with artificial colors or high fructose corn syrup. Please let me know if your child has any food restrictions to accommodate. Due to my daughter having Celiac disease, our family maintains a gluten free kitchen. By default, our snacks will also be gluten free. I ask that you not send your child with food to playschool unless there is a medical need we've discussed. This includes birthday treats. I will be introducing ethnic foods as well, paired with something less adventurous so no one goes hungry. Developing a varied pallet with an appreciation for healthy food is one of my objectives. I will entice, but never force or shame.
