Curious and Kind Education
~learning reimagined ~
Encouraging Self-Directed Learning blended with Forest School principles,
we offer 4 "school" programs and summer camps!
Come play and learn with us!
~Sarasota, Florida~
Mission
Curious and Kind Education empowers children to learn about themselves, others and nature while developing their minds and bodies.
- We believe nature nurtures learning.
- We trust in a child’s ability to guide their own learning journey
- We believe education’s purpose is to create a kinder, more just and sustainable world.
We reimagined education! Our nature-based education program was inspired by the forest school concept to keep the flame of learning alive for children. At Curious and Kind, every child is valued, cherished, and encouraged to embrace the joy of getting a little muddy.
We are looking for great people to be prepared to grow the team soon. If you love children, nature and learning, we would love to hear from you!
Come join our community!
~We successfully launched Curious and Kind Education in Spring of 2023!~
4 "school" programs and Camp!
~Nature Stay and Play (ages walking-7 years old)~
~Forest School Drop off program (ages 5-12 years old)~
~Teen Program (ages 13-16 years old)~
~8 week Mini Courses ("high school")~
~Summer Camp (ages 5-12 years old)~
Welcome to
Curious and Kind Education
Curious and Kind offers a unique blend of forest school principles intertwined with the agile learning centers model, creating an environment that is both child-led and structured to nurture projects. Ideal for families seeking a flexible alternative to traditional schooling, our early childhood education program caters to those who prioritize outdoor experiences while also including nature-based curriculum. We provide a supportive space where children can explore, learn, connect and grow at their own pace, fostering curiosity and kindness along the way.
When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.
Maria Montessori
Our Approach to Education...
Play is the highest form of research.
Albert Einstein
Curious and Kind Education merges Forest School and Agile Learning Center principles with Montessori and Reggio inspired approaches to make a unique offering for each child that is grounded in:
- Play-based learning
- Inquiry-based learning
- Emergent curriculum
- Self-directed learning
- Nonviolent communication
- Kindness towards self, others and nature
- Listening and observation of every child
- Place-based education
- Environmental stewardship
- Resilience-based: immersion in a variety of weather
- Exploration of the natural world and local habitats
- Nature-based learning extending beyond early childhood education
There are intentional coaching moves we take to support emerging literacy including enjoying plentiful read alouds, dialoguing, using high level vocabulary, engaging children in storytelling and retelling, playing with words, and mark marking (early writing) which are done in our forest setting.
Justine Wilson
Founder of Curious and Kind on early literacy in a nature setting
Benefits of Curious and Kind Education
Why a Forest School and Agile Learning Center combined?
In the USA, there are 1000s of “Forest Schools” and an equal growing number of Agile Learning Centers (ALCs). This movement stems from a desire for our children to have healthy holistic educational opportunities. The approaches allows for extended periods of self-directed learning and playing which naturally includes exploration and risk-taking. This type of learning results in strong bodies, balanced minds & an abundance of confidence.
Learn more about Forest School Principles
Learn more about Agile Learning Centers
The child is made of one hundred. The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking.
Excerpt from 100 Languages
by Loris Malaguzzi of the Reggio Emilia Approach
What are the benefits of this type of education?
Heath and wellness
- Mental health: improves sleep and increases happiness
- Physical bodies: gross and fine motor skills, proprioceptive- muscle and bone development and strength, digestion and immune benefits
Learning Skills
- Social: social awareness, self management/regulation, confidence
- Emotional: caring, communication, collaboration and conflict resolution
- Higher Order Thinking: problem solving, critical thinking, creativity
- Community: understanding others, empathy, responsible decision making
Play Schemas (for young learners) set the stage for cognition
- Foundation for abstract thinking, integral to early literacy, numeracy, reasoning, scientific thinking, and more, is cultivated within our outdoor early childhood program.
We must give childhood back to children. Children must be allowed to follow their inborn drives to play and explore so that they can grow into intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically strong and resilient adults.
Dr. Peter Gray
Benefits are realized through...
Close intentional observation of children
Freedom for messy, free play outside
Coaching and guiding when asked or the need is observed
This type of nature-based learning is adventurous, joyful and supports wellbeing! We know that unstructured uninterrupted play keeps children’s natural curiosity flowing as children experiment and learning is play and play is learning. All the while children are seen and loved for who they are!
Partnerships, Memberships, Certifications
