By Eva Salmela
The sun begins to peek over the horizon. Early morning dew clings to the grass as children in colorful rain gear pretend to be bears or cradle chickens in their arms. Parents wave goodbye as the sounds of children’s laughter and chatter fill the air. Teachers greet children with smiles and guide them toward the day’s adventure.
As national enrollment in nature preschool programs rises, outdoor education is becoming a popular alternative early childhood setting. This guide will cover what nature preschools are, what research says about them, and what current nature preschool parents think parents considering this type of education should know before enrolling their children.
What is Nature Preschool?
A nature preschool is a type of early childhood education that “must put nature at the heart of the program, it must be based on high-quality early childhood education and environmental education practices, and it must also help lay a foundation for environmental literacy,” reports Natural Start Alliance.
“70% of programs spend 70% or more of their school day outside,” reported a survey by the Natural Start Alliance.
What Research Shows
According to research by nature education expert Dr. Julie Ernst in her Flourishing in Nature Research Line at the University of Minnesota Duluth, nature-based early childhood educational practices are correlated with the development of:
- Self regulation
- Empathy
- Vocabulary
- Executive functioning
- Physical activity
- Play
- Learning behaviors
- Curiosity
- Resilience
- And creative thinking
Nature preschool programs are popping up more and more in the US. “There are an estimated 800 nature preschools in the United States, up more than 200% from 2017,” reported a 2022 national survey by Natural Start Alliance.
This survey also reported Minnesota to be one of the states with the most nature preschool programs.
Thoughts from Current Nature Preschool Parents
Parents of nature preschoolers value outside time for their kids. “We know how critical being outside is for development and general health and well-being, and want all of our kids outside as much as possible,” says nature preschool parent Amanda Wagner.
“I fully believe nature’s classroom is the best classroom,” says nature preschool parent Alicia Howe.
Parents cite that their child’s nature preschool experience has contributed to their growth and development. “I’ve watched how much my child has grown in many ways,” says Howe. “They are more active, use their imagination, they learn about nature, and are still learning required teachings.”
Parent Bridget Smith appreciates that nature preschool provides a “hands-on environment that is safe but lets them learn their body’s limits.”
Wagner’s daughter “absolutely loves” nature preschool and “asks every night if she gets to go to nature school in the morning.”
“He enjoys going outside all the time,” says Smith. “He will spend his whole day in the backyard.”
Overall, parents report that the nature preschool experience has fostered a love of the outdoors and passion for the natural world in these young children.
“He talks about it all the time,” said parent Carmen Turbitt.
Conclusion
Choosing the right preschool is a major decision parents face, setting the tone for a child’s early development. From physical growth to emotional and academic foundations, the environment matters. With insights from educational experts, current nature preschool families and a bit of personal reflection, parents can feel more confident navigating this important choice.
For more information on the benefits of nature preschool and outdoor play, check out our blog post 10 Powerful Ways All Weather Nature Play Supports Children.
To learn more about Wildlings Nature School, check out our blog post Introducing Wildlings Nature School.
Follow us on social media @wildlingsnatureschool to stay updated on our little nature school!