Kennesaw Mountain Nature Preschool is a progressive Forest Preschool program inspired by the the original Scandinavian Forest Kindergartens as well as the Reggio Emilia Approach.
Our Forest Preschool experience focuses on nature immersion, as “unstructured free time in nature resulting in an intimate, deep and personal connection to the natural world” (Erin Kenny, The Cedar Song Way).
Our mountain setting provides a rich landscape for children to play as active stewards of the local community and environment. Our program will take place in our privately owned woodland area as well as in the local natural passive park areas of Cobb County, GA. We will utilize these diverse habitats to offer children natural experiences that have an enormous potential to inspire inquiry from the wonders and curiosities of the natural world. Childhood is a time that we recognize the importance of slowing down with children to experience the ever – changing landscapes in our natural community. In addition, our program also has an indoor studio space inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach where children are dropped off, nap/rest or go to in times of extreme weather situations as a safety protocol.
Key principles of our Forest Preschool approach :
Nature Immersion
Inquiry Based Learning
Play based curriculum
Environmental Stewardship
Place based education
Reggio Emilia inspired ateliers
Very low 1-2 : 6 teacher to child ratio
Time is valued by slowing down
Flexible curriculum development
Study of the natural world/habitat year round in all weather
