Philosophy

The Forager School, where dreams take flight,
Holistic growth in every light.
Children choose and lead the way,
Nature's wonders and children’s pure play.
With our community, hand-in-hand,
Together we learn, grow, and understand.

As a community, The Forager School is guided by a child-centered philosophy that puts play at the heart of everything we do. Located in rural Northern California we are devoted to fostering a deep connection between young children and the natural world. We embrace the idea that nature provides a rich and dynamic environment for learning, exploration, and growth.

Our philosophy is rooted in the following principles:

  1. Child-Centered
    Children benefit from active participation in their learning, making choices with gentle guidance and routines from their mentors. We champion a child-led approach, observing their interests and curiosities to inform curriculum. Our goal is to foster a lifelong love for learning anchored in curiosity, self-discovery, and growth.

  2. Holistic
    Every child is unique, with individual interests, strengths, and histories. We prioritize understanding and nurturing their physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and creative growth holistically. Our goal is for children to explore their individuality within The Forager School community.

  3. Nature
    The Forager School’s natural environment is a blessing. By providing ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and a nature-inspired curriculum, we aim to deepen children's understanding of the natural world and their place in it. Our goal is to foster a profound understanding of nature, instilling wonder, curiosity, and care for our interconnected environment.

  4. Play
    Play is central to every child's healthy growth, and experiential learning through the senses is critical to early childhood development. We believe that playing is a fundamental right for children, and play can drive experiential activities like foraging, gardening, building or observing seasons. Our goal is to encourage play, our first scientific method, as a vital tool for creativity, problem-solving, and well-being.

  5. Community
    Early education is a shared responsibility within a close-knit community. We believe that nurturing children's community awareness leads to active contributors to society. We collaborate with parents and local groups, promoting reciprocity and care for future generations. Our goal is to establish rich partnerships with parents, neighbors and organizations to make our community even more vibrant.