Nature's Way Preschool

What do you know about your sense of smell?  Join Elizabeth in today's Five Senses Friday to learn more about this very important sense and have fun making paint from ingredients in your kitchen!

Today's Tales from the Trail Thursday contains a story of kindness and friendship. Join Elizabeth as she reads "Stick and Stone" by Beth Ferry.  After the story is over, do some loose parts play with Elizabeth!

 Did you know some lizards can swim?  In today's Wild Wednesday video, learn about Marine Iguanas with Kat!

Join Caroline as she dives into the world of Loose Parts play in this week's Teaching Tuesday ! In this video, Caroline covers the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of loose parts play, as well as some examples of loose parts. 

In today's Mindfulness Monday , Caroline explores another way to practice gratitude by making a gratitude jar! She provides instructions on how to make the jar and ideas for how to use it. 

Investigate your sense of hearing with Elizabeth in this week's Five Senses Friday.   Play a mystery sound game and conduct your own sound experiment!

In this week's  Tales from the Trail Thursday, r ead the gratitude story "My Heart Fills with Happiness" by Monique Gray Smith with Elizabeth. Following the story, learn how to make your own bird feeder!

  Join Kat on another journey of discovery in today's Wild Wednesday !  Learn about monotremes- the oldest group of mammals on the planet today. They break a pretty big rule when it comes to being a mammal... watch along to find out more!

  This week's Teaching Tuesday covers a very popular topic for discussion among nature-based educators... risk-taking! In this video, Elizabeth elaborates on the difference between a risk and a hazard, the importance of risky play in early childhood, and provides tips on hiking with young children. She also explains a Dynamic Risk Assessment as well as strategies our educators use to keep children safe outdoors. 

 Join Caroline as she leads a gratitude meditation in this week's Mindfulness Monday .  Expressing gratitude provides so many benefits. It's important to take time every day to acknowledge the things you are grateful for!

 Happy Friday! In our Five Senses Friday video this week, watch as Elizabeth explores our sense of touch. Learn about the Star Nosed Mole as she teaches a fun, sensory game!

Do you have your very own nature collection? If not, would you like to make one? Read along with Elizabeth as she shares "Hector the Collector" by Emily A. Beeny for this week's Tales from the Trails Thursday.

 Join Kat in learning about the colorful world of Poison Dart Frogs in this week's Wild Wednesday video!

This week's Teaching Tuesday is about creating an environment for independent play! In the video below, Caroline talks about passive toys and gives some examples of excellent options to have in your child's environment. 

In today's Mindfulness Monday , Caroline discusses how to make your own mini Zen Rock Garden using found objects and household items. 

For our next Five Senses Friday , Elizabeth investigates our sense of sight.  Learn how our eyes work, look closely at the human eye, and make binoculars out of recycled materials!

Have you ever made your own leaf people before?  In this Tales from the Trails Thursday , Elizabeth reads "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert. After the story, it's time to make some art using items found in nature!

In this Wild Wednesday video, Kat educates us about the Shoebill Stork.  You will be amazed by these giant birds! 

For our next Teaching Tuesday , Caroline discusses the fundamental importance of play, the benefits of independent play, and how to foster it  at home or at school. 

In this Mindfulness Monday , Caroline leads us through a nature meditation.  Find a special nature object that fits in the palm of your hands and join her!

Rounding out the week are our Five Senses Friday videos! In these videos, NWPS instructor Elizabeth will introduce activities that will explore and engage each of our five senses! For our first video, Elizabeth introduces our five senses and leads us on a sensory walk.