NEW this Fall- Fayetteville Nature School breaks the mold and offers what many in our community have been looking for-- outdoor education, small class sizes, and extended free play in addition to relevant, hands-on academics.
Fayetteville Nature School will offer an engaging education environment built on active learning. As you walk up to the school (and many families can walk since the school is right off the Fayetteville trail system), you’ll see a large green and white schoolhouse. Around the side of the shelter, native stepping stones lead you to the primary outdoor classroom. A fire pit is nearby and Fayetteville’s first adventure playground is just to the left.
On the grounds across the yard, there is a garden as well as 2 friendly goats and several chickens. All these provide wonderful hands-on learning opportunities. Students will experience their lessons primarily outdoors in the various learning environments on site and across nearby Gulley Park and the Niokaska Creek & Trail system.
Why take learning outdoors? Even outside of pandemic times, learning in an outdoor environment has long been studied for its unique benefits. Proven benefits include increased test scores, improved social skills, and a better attitude about school. Learning in nature allows children to recognize their interdependence and connectedness to the natural world and that in turn creates adults who care about the environment and who know how to care for it. Spending time outdoors lowers stress levels—in children and adults. Unstructured play time in nature leads to better behavior and increased attention when class is in session. Being outdoors in all seasons teaches an appreciation for nature and builds resilience and confidence in young learners. With so much good coming from learning outdoors, a Nature School just makes sense. As local families ourselves, we know some families are looking for alternatives to traditional school and we are excited to offer this choice.
Beyond the environment, the lessons themselves are designed around active learning. Our teachers bring a decade of experience teaching in both traditional schools and nature schools. More importantly, they bring passion and model enthusiasm for learning. The daily schedule comes from the Waldorf methodology and provides a balanced rhythm of focused learning and free play throughout each day. This structure will endeavor to keep kids curious and gently encourage a love for learning while still letting kids be kids.
This school is well-positioned to continue combating COVID spread via the outdoors. An affiliated daycare, Parkside Playschool, successfully ran the entire course of the COVID-19 pandemic without suffering community spread or shutting down. Among other mitigations, the preschool schedule had children outdoors for 80% or more of the day.
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The inaugural class will be mixed-age, designed for Kindergarten through 3rd grade, which will top out at a 15:2 student: teacher ratio. Students will learn math, reading, writing, art, music, local history, natural science, and social skills. Expect teaching methods that are practical and hands-on. In addition, your child might learn skills like knitting and form drawing, supporting the fine-motor skill work of writing and facilitating brain development.
About the founders and owners of Fayetteville Nature School: Who are we? We are members of your community. Early childhood specialists, experienced teachers, involved parents, business owners. We embarked on this journey years ago, envisioning a Waldorf-inspired school for us in Fayetteville. We’re ready- we believe the community is ready and we are excited to bring this option to Northwest Arkansas families.
Interested? To take the first step, reach out TODAY via 479-343-1900 or fayettevillenatureschool@gmail.com to schedule a tour. When you know this is the right option for your family, simply complete the enrollment form on our website to register your student’s seat! Registration closes on August 6th. We’re so excited for this school year! I hope you can be a part of it. Contact us today!
This article is sponsored by Fayetteville Nature School, a valued sponsor of Macaroni Kid Fayetteville. We appreciate your support in reviewing our sponsors' emails and hope that their products and services are useful for your family. Macaroni Kid is a free resource supported solely by our local sponsors.
