Welcome to
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What is a Nature School?
As a nature preschool Peaceful Gatherings will spend the day outside regardless of the weather. The only time that we will not go outside is in unsafe weather.
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1. Nature is the central organizing concept of the program. That is, nature is the integrating thread that intentionally ties together the preschool’s philosophy, methodologies, classroom design, outdoor spaces, and public identity.
2. A nature preschool’s program is based on high-quality practices of both early childhood education (developmentally appropriate practices) and environmental education (principles of interpretation and the North American Association for Environmental Education’s “Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education”), requiring its teaching staff to have skills and experience in both early childhood education and environmental education. 3. A nature preschool program uses the natural world to support dual goals that address both child development and conservation values. These include the development of the world of the child (in all domains – cognitive, physical, social, emotional, aesthetic, and spiritual) and the development of an ecological identity or environmental ethic. (Natural Start Alliance, 2014) Figure 1. Bailie & Finch’s Definition of Nature Preschools (Natural Start Alliance, 2014). |
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GALLERY
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LocationWhere tender hearts and adventurous spirits play to learn in the Seven Oaks area of Columbia, SC. Peaceful Gatherings Nature School at Saluda Shoals Park, Columbia, SC |
