Nature's Way of Learning
caring for children 6 weeks to 4th grade

We are proud to offer children a one-of-a-kind learning experience. Owner Kay has worked in the childcare field for 25 years. During this time, Kay spent several years exploring and learning about what works and what does not. When building the center, she wanted to create a space where children not only felt loved and respected, but she wanted to create a center where children could learn from each other, their teachers and the world around them!

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During the warm months, children spend most of their time outside. We explore the animals on the property, our gardens and use our imagination to create with the items we have around us on our 4500 sq foot playground.

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Our playground offers a large running space, climbers, swings, building items such as logs, and tires which the children love creating with. We have a paved area for cars and bikes, a large sand area for digging and exploring as well as a grass area to lay in and find shapes in the clouds. We have a circle area and 3 outside tables for eating and crafting.

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When we are unable to get outside, we bring the outside in. We use materials around us and the outside to be creative. We have weekly themes that we explore through reading, crafts, hands on exploration, science projects and our enrichment lessons.

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Most importantly in our curriculum, we teach love, respect and caring for each other and our world. Children here learn to trust their teachers and learn to be kind to friends through sharing and group playtimes. Children are not a one size fits all and we truly encourage them to share their unique personalities with us. We use many nature-based ideas in our teachings. We use a pre-developed curriculum that focuses on a number of leaning essentials. 

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Why Animals 

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The human-animal bond provides benefits to health at every stage of life. Research demonstrates the positive influence of human-animal interaction (HAI), including pet ownership and animal-assisted therapy, on a child’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

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Childhood pets can be perceived to be nonjudgmental, confidential and accepting sources of support.  In addition, pets can be perceived as presenting their feelings authentically in the moment and being more forgiving than humans.

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For example, one study found that the mere presence of a family pet during childhood can increase emotional expression and control in children,[1] and research supports that even brief interactions with dogs can lower stress levels in children.[2]

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Science also supports the integration of companion animals in children’s education. From educating children about pets to having a classroom pet, companion animals can help encourage cognitive, social and emotional development in children.

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Emotional and Cognitive Development

Childhood pets have been shown to provide physical and emotional support to children throughout their childhood, including after experiencing trauma.[3]

Specifically, research has found that:

• Attachment to pets can promote healthy social development, social competence, increased social interaction, improved social communication, and social play in children[4]

  • Companion animals can help children learn to express and understand non-verbal communication and decipher intentions, which leads to improved emotional understanding and expression[5]

• Family pets can provide a significant impact on a child’s development by providing an opportunity for a child to care for a dependent.

  • Research shows having the opportunity to care for a dependent fulfills the child’s need to feel important and needed, and to have a purpose[3]

• Research suggests that successfully caring for a pet is positively correlated to importance, social competence and self-esteem[6]

• One study shows that the sense of achievement a child feels when they have successfully cared for a pet develops their sense of self[7]

• A classroom pet has been found to be a motivating factor for children as an important mode of action in improving reading performance, and:

Education

A classroom pet has been found to be a motivating factor for children as an important mode of action in improving reading performance, and:

• Children have reported liking the animal and enjoying reading to them, increasing their motivation to read

• Animals are natural incentives that encourage children to read

• Pets are not judgmental, they do not laugh, criticize and allow children to read at their own pace

• Dogs can reduce stress reactions of children performing a stressful task[8]

• The presence of a dog in a classroom foster development of autonomous functioning and a better segregation of self/non-self, which is the foundation of sensitivity towards other people[9]

• Studies have found that classroom pets lead to higher social integration, fewer aggressive children, and greater sensitivity towards the needs and moods of other people[9]

• Classroom pets can also improve students’ attitudes toward school, facilitate students’ learning lessons in responsibility, respect and empathy[10]

• Dogs aren’t the only type of effective classroom pet. Guinea pigs have also been found to be a feasible, positive addition to the primary classroom to improve social functioning[11]

 

For more information on why animals are great for children visit:

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-habri.org/research/child-health/

-community.thriveglobal.com/why-i-choose-to-raise-my-kids-with-farm-animals/

-www.busybees.edu.au/2020-08-31the-benfits-of-animals-in-aerly-childhood-settings/

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