Children’s Nature Experiences at Raintree Learning Community

Raintree’s approach to early childhood education is unique.  Children’s inquiries provide the direction and focus of much of the curriculum.  For example, a 4 year old’s simple question of “Do you like Mexican food?” launched a 12-week-long project, where students explored Mexican culture, made research field trips to area Mexican restaurants, and delved into the world of pinatas and tissue art.  As a result, the simple question became a grand idea - “Let’s make a Mexican restaurant!”; and so the students did.  Parents, grandparents, and siblings were invited to the school where pre-schoolers served a Mexican feast that they had prepared on their own.  At Raintree, the dreams of children are allowed to become reality; and, as the children learn to become excited about learning, their parent’s dreams also come alive. 

Nature is a very important element of both the students’ and parents’ dreams.  The Raintree campus features - in addition to a reaching kitchen, library, and art studio - a Koi pond, butterfly garden, student garden, and outdoor “playscape”.

This “playscape” is a unique outdoor living classroom specially designed for children ages 2-1/2 through 6.  The goal of this “playscape” is to provide an enjoyable place for hands-on science and art exploration.  As the students explore, they are guided by teachers certified in early childhood and elementary education.  Different areas of the “playscape” are devoted to nature art, making music with natural instruments, creative use of natural building materials, and other unstructured play / learning experiences.