Programs
Cultivating learning through play
We provide a place for children and families to grow and flourish. Tiny Trees inspired programs are focused on nurturing and protecting the young child’s sense of wonder and imagination. Play is the work of childhood and our environment is carefully prepared for the developmental needs of the young child. Through play, each child learns a broad range of social-emotional, cognitive, and linguistic skills.
Each and every program is individually owned and operated by their perspective owners. Contact for each program is listed under programs. We recommend families spend time visiting and getting to know the program providers before enrolling in a program to be sure it is a good fit for your family.
Benefits of Forest School
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Fostering love of learning is our goal, we don’t want to just give information to the children we want it to be enlivened. Children ask questions, the natural world around us spark imaginative play. Sticks become wands or fishing rods, rocks become muffins, trees become boats. There are natural patterns that occur in nature, colors, shapes series all the necessary skills needed for kindergarten can be found in the woods!
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Being outside children get in touch with their own body, they build resilience through challenging risk taking experiences. vigorous physical activity that we engage in develops the children’s senses of movement, balance, and touch.Once these senses are fully integrated, children are better able to control their bodies and come to stillness—a critical capability in grade school where children are asked to sit still in their chairs and engage in fine motor tasks for a good part of each day.
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Children learn to balance their own will forces and desires with others around them. We have a rhythmic day that consists of the same tasks at roughly the same time each day every week, this helps the children create good habits and will forces. There are ample opportunities to engage with peers in free play and spend time negotiating play amongst themselves. We allow the children to work things out independently as much as possible, this gives children the opportunity to experience cooperation, disagreements, conflict, compromise and resolution on their own. This balancing act helps them develop emotional resilience.
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Ample Time and Space for joyful, creative play and imagination.
Caring Environments nourish the senses.
Consistent rhythms promote health, security and trust.
Real-Life activities help children engage in authentic experiences and that promotes a sense of wonder.
Relationships base on love. Relationships fostered in love, respect and care for each child and one another.
Committed Educators to self development and community collaboration.
Source: Mendocino Waldorf
Frequently Asked Questions
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Each program is different.
We cover the hours of 8:30am to 4:00pm
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Each program has a different pricing model.
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Some of our programs are in the process. Most of our programs operate with such a small group of children and do not require licensing.
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We have programs a few miles out East End rd, in town, up West Hill and off of Skyline.
Forest School Movement
Tiny Trees is inspired by the growing community of “forest schools” across the United States and around the world. Here are some of the Core Elements of a Forest Kindergarten that inspire us: (American Forest Kindergarten Association):
All-weather nature immersion time every day
Child-led Flow Learning
Inquiry-based Teaching Style
Child-inspired, child-directed documentation of Emergent Curriculum
Place-based education
Small class sizes
According to the UK’s Forest School Association, Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began.
Sources: American Forest Kindergarten Association & Forest School Association
The FOUNDER!
MY NAME IS Hanna Young
Born and raised in Alaska, I was raised with a passion for the outdoors. Hiking, biking, camping, and skiing were the ways our family spent time together.
I have been in the field of early childhood for 15 years and continue to learn every day. I have a masters in Early Childhood Special Education and a LifeWays Teaching Certificate, and I am a Waldorf school alumnus. I want our children to love to learn, and I want parents to feel supported.