About the Program
The Ohio Farm and Forest School at Purple Goat Gardens is modeled after Scandinavian Forest Preschools which foster independence and creativity through an emergent nature curriculum. Children play, learn, and explore outside all day year round -- rain, snow, or shine!
Our program also incorporates elements of farm and homestead skills to help little ones grow, develop, and excel within a caring, earth-centered environment. Children will grow their own plants in the garden, help care for the animals, and explore our creek and hiking trails--all while developing the knowledge and skills they will need for kindergarten.
An Emergent Curriculum
We believe that children are meant to move and play freely--that is how they learn. Learning and teaching follow the interests of the children, and the curriculum emerges as they investigation and interact with the world all around the. For example:
Below is a sample daily schedule. Times are approximate, and our activities will vary based on the interests, needs, and energy of the children.
Our program also incorporates elements of farm and homestead skills to help little ones grow, develop, and excel within a caring, earth-centered environment. Children will grow their own plants in the garden, help care for the animals, and explore our creek and hiking trails--all while developing the knowledge and skills they will need for kindergarten.
An Emergent Curriculum
We believe that children are meant to move and play freely--that is how they learn. Learning and teaching follow the interests of the children, and the curriculum emerges as they investigation and interact with the world all around the. For example:
- The first frost of the year might spark learning about the freezing properties of water, the cycle of seasons, the letter F, or reading a story about the coming of winter.
- The discovery of animal tracks on the trail might spark a lesson about the native animals who left the tracks, practice identifying shapes and recognizing patterns, or even skills of animal tracking.
- The emergence of a crop of dandelions in the spring might inspire play with the bright flowers, a wild foraging lesson and tea-making, focus on the color yellow or the letter D, learning about the life cycle of plants, and more.
Below is a sample daily schedule. Times are approximate, and our activities will vary based on the interests, needs, and energy of the children.
Outside All Year? YES!
In the forest school model, children are outside in every season--winter included. As this model was developed in the harsh climate of Scandinavia, it is also appropriate here in Ohio--with the right steps in place. The advice you're likely to hear from a Scandinavian is, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!"
Having children in the appropriate layers for winter and gear for inclement weather is the number one priority, as it ensures they can safely play outside with their friends all day. In winter, teachers constantly monitor students, checking for signs that they are too cold or wet and need to go get warmed up. In general though, the right gear keeps little ones warm and dry, as does their limitless energy and appetite for play! While we have some extra gear on hand, generally parents are responsible for supplying appropriate gear for all seasons of play. (The Firefly Forest School has a helpful page on how to dress children appropriately: https://www.fireflyforestschool.com/clothing-gear )
Of course in truly hazardous weather such as strong winds, hail, etc., students may move into our indoor classroom space in the little blue barn, or, in extreme situations, school may be cancelled for a weather day. All decisions are made with children's safety as the top priority.
In the forest school model, children are outside in every season--winter included. As this model was developed in the harsh climate of Scandinavia, it is also appropriate here in Ohio--with the right steps in place. The advice you're likely to hear from a Scandinavian is, "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!"
Having children in the appropriate layers for winter and gear for inclement weather is the number one priority, as it ensures they can safely play outside with their friends all day. In winter, teachers constantly monitor students, checking for signs that they are too cold or wet and need to go get warmed up. In general though, the right gear keeps little ones warm and dry, as does their limitless energy and appetite for play! While we have some extra gear on hand, generally parents are responsible for supplying appropriate gear for all seasons of play. (The Firefly Forest School has a helpful page on how to dress children appropriately: https://www.fireflyforestschool.com/clothing-gear )
Of course in truly hazardous weather such as strong winds, hail, etc., students may move into our indoor classroom space in the little blue barn, or, in extreme situations, school may be cancelled for a weather day. All decisions are made with children's safety as the top priority.
Meet the Staff
Emy HoodDirector and Lead Facilitator
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Emy grew up in Lorain County and earned her BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish from Kenyon College where she also minored in Art. During college she fell in love with introducing kids to nature via her summer job as a camp counselor at Ligonier Camp in Pennsylvania. She began her professional career in education in 2011 as a Social Studies teacher in South Texas where she earned her Teaching Certificate and headed her department. After 4 years of classroom teaching she was hired by her district to write Social Studies curriculum for all 100+ schools in the network, a job which she has done for the past 9 years. In 2020 she and her husband founded Purple Goat Gardens as a dual-purpose dairy goat farm and learning, art, and education hub. In 2023 they welcomed a baby girl. Her arrival pushed them to deeply consider the educational and principles they valued for their family. Watching how their daughter responded to being given the freedom to explore and play outside in the woods and on their homestead made them want this environment for her education. Finding that there were no options for Forest Schools nearby, Emy put her experience in education to work investigating various nature-based education strategies, completing coursework in nature school pedagogy and naturalist trainings, and earning a Nature Educator Certification. Thus the Ohio Farm and Forest School at Purple Goat Gardens was born! Under Emy's direction, it opens for its inaugural class in September 2024. |
Recommended Resources
We strongly recommend that parents read one of the following books (the local libraries have them all in hard copy, eBook, and audiobook!):
There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather is our top-choice for an interesting read that will get you the basics of Forest School as well as touch on some of the research and reasons this type of education is valuable and even necessary. Linda Akeson McGurk explains the Scandinavian approach to parenting which prioritizes both freedom and time in nature in order to raise independent, resilient, and joyful children. This is really a must-read (or listen--gotta love an audiobook!) for any parent interested in learning more about raising strong, healthy kids with a connection to nature. |
Written by an pediatric occupational therapist, Balanced and Barefoot is a research-based look at the challenges facing our children in an increasingly sedentary society and what we can do about it (hint: go outside!).
"Today’s kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need “rough and tumble” outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. Disturbingly, a lack of movement has been shown to lead to a number of health and cognitive difficulties, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotion regulation and sensory processing issues, and aggressiveness at school recess break.
Using the philosophy that nature is the ultimate sensory experience, and that psychological and physical health improves for children when they spend time outside on a regular basis—author Angela Hanscom offers several strategies to help your child thrive."
A classic in the literature promoting the essential role of nature in the lives and healthy development of children (and adults!), Last Child in the Woods is a bestseller that emphasizes the need for nature in our lives from a moral, ethical, physical, psychological and emotional standpoint.
"Drawing inspiration from Finland’s nature-centric education model, Louv argues for the inclusion of outdoor and environmental education in schools. He suggests that a focus on outdoor learning can be both cost-effective and beneficial for academic performance, emotional health, and societal well-being.
The author also delves into the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of human interaction with nature. He argues that the natural world offers a unique ethical and spiritual framework that should be passed on to younger generations. Reflecting on personal experiences with his own children, he underscores the need for a widespread societal movement to restore the invaluable connection between children and nature, emphasizing the stakes not just for human well-being but for the environmental future as well."
"Drawing inspiration from Finland’s nature-centric education model, Louv argues for the inclusion of outdoor and environmental education in schools. He suggests that a focus on outdoor learning can be both cost-effective and beneficial for academic performance, emotional health, and societal well-being.
The author also delves into the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of human interaction with nature. He argues that the natural world offers a unique ethical and spiritual framework that should be passed on to younger generations. Reflecting on personal experiences with his own children, he underscores the need for a widespread societal movement to restore the invaluable connection between children and nature, emphasizing the stakes not just for human well-being but for the environmental future as well."
2024-25 School Calendar & Tuition
Eligibility & Information
Flexible Schedule
Parents choose children's schedule by enrolling them in half-day (8:30 - 12:00) or full day (8:30 - 4:30) sessions for the school year (164 days total from September to May).
Children may come five days per week or only on select days (based on current openings). Priority in enrollment is given to full-time attendees.
Eligibility
Children must be 2 to 6 years old, potty-trained, and able to walk by themselves. If your child requires accommodation of some kind due to a medical issue or disability, we are happy to work with you to try meet their needs.
Details
The staff to child ratio is 1:6. The program is classified as a Type B Home childcare per Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Unfortunately at this time we cannot accept payment with public funds, although barter is an option.
Parents choose children's schedule by enrolling them in half-day (8:30 - 12:00) or full day (8:30 - 4:30) sessions for the school year (164 days total from September to May).
Children may come five days per week or only on select days (based on current openings). Priority in enrollment is given to full-time attendees.
Eligibility
Children must be 2 to 6 years old, potty-trained, and able to walk by themselves. If your child requires accommodation of some kind due to a medical issue or disability, we are happy to work with you to try meet their needs.
Details
The staff to child ratio is 1:6. The program is classified as a Type B Home childcare per Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Unfortunately at this time we cannot accept payment with public funds, although barter is an option.