Being connection-minded in education starts with a recognition that we do not all learn the same way, or come from the same perspective, so we can learn so much from each other! Connection-based education prioritizes making sense of the things we are doing in a relatable way to our students.

An example of this is something as simple as the learning goal of letter recognition: we can start this process by using the letters in each child's name, something that is meaningful to them, and then slowly they start to notice their letters other places. They start to recognize their friend's names and draw parallels wherever print exists. It becomes exciting! And it is so organic versus rote memorization and worksheets that mean nothing to the developing mind. 

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The Reggio philosophy is a beautiful dive into children's ability to create. It sees all children as the captain of their learning ship, and encourages them to express themselves, and explore topics, from every angel they can fathom. Ultimately, Reggio encourages true understanding of a concept in any context, as far as each child wishes to engage. It leaves space for mistakes that look more like opportunities, and interpretations that allow children to fully realize their imaginations. This method also promotes documentation of children's work, and provides a visual method for celebrating the wonderful developments and surprises that come from allowing children to invest fully in their projects. 

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The Waldorf perspective captures the world through the eyes of a child reminding us not to grow up too fast and embrace the wonder and reverence in our world. It rests within rhythms and repetition, honoring seasons and life cycles, and bringing learning full circle from one understanding into the new.  This perspective share our following values:

• Children learn by imitating the adults around them 

•  Childhood is meant to be experienced, not rushed

•  Imagination is the child's way of understanding the world

•  Rhythm creates security

•  Nature is a teacher

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In addition to these principles, we embrace the idea that the teachers are not merely delivering a curriculum; they are  cultivating patience, reverence, self-discipline, warmth, and inner steadiness. It emphasizes that the young child is profoundly influenced by the adult's being, not just by what the adult says or does. The teacher's own conduct is therefore a significant part of the educational environment.

 

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There is no one size fits all in life, so neither is there at The Wilds. We may use other successful methods from any early education philosophy if it serves our student best. Our approach focuses on the needs and pace of each child as an individual learner; yes we have goals, but it matters more how we reach them than when. Children deserve to experience success as they master skills, not be rushed through a list of expectations before they are ready. Confidence in their ability is accomplished through seeing their own growth. We cycle through foundational skills throughout the year, stretching the student's understanding and challenging them to apply what they already know to accomplish new tasks.  This removes external pressure and replaces it with trust in themselves as they can measure what they can do now from where they started. Learning is not accomplished through memorizing the right answers, it is shown through repeatable displays that show understanding how things work. 

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Our teacher's role is to bring your child into relationship with this learning environment and create fundamental connections between your child and everything around them. Everything we do is mindfully set with the intention that children will explore their classroom on their own terms because we know that children will retain far more of their experiences when the classroom feels like it was meant for them.

 

We are here to ignite a spark of wonder in each child's world. We are here to celebrate as children believe in themselves, embrace their own process, and experiment in their world with enthusiasm!

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Together, through the warmth of a loving environment, authentic connections, and these open-ended philosophies that truly allow children to run wild in their childhood, we give children the time and space they need to know themselves and be loved without pressure, and without expectations so they can embrace the very best parts of being a kid. 

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