Our Program
Blessing Farm and Forest is an outdoor, mixed-age program that carries a strong focus on rhythm, repetition, and reverence. Our goal is to give children the gift of ample unstructured time playing freely outdoors. We want children to develop confidence, independence, and resilience while at the same time connecting deeply to nature and each other. Through warm, loving relationships between the teachers, students, and animals, we strive to foster a strong sense of connection, empathy, and compassion for others, including our animal and plant friends.
How do we express this mission in the structure of our program?
Daily nurturing care of animals, land, and gardens
Ample time and space for children to run, climb, and be active. Children build confidence, strength, and grace through having enough time to move freely and take risks with their peers.
Children are supported in their growing independence and competence through daily activities that include real work with real tools. Shovels and rakes are available for digging in the mud pit, raking leaves, shoveling mulch, etc. Seasonal work includes planting seeds, caring for the garden, harvesting from our fruit trees, preparing food, spreading mulch, pulling weeds, moving compost, etc.
Social relationships are given time and space to grow authentically and organically. With warm, loving guidance from the teachers, children are supported in navigating the complicated work of working together within a group of peers.
Teacher and children come together each morning in a dynamic and fun circle during which they sing seasonal songs, practice finger plays, play games, and experience seasonal movement journeys.
At Blessing Farm and Forest, we value the ancient wisdom of oral storytelling as a way to instruct and teach the children through an age-appropriate and organic way. Teachers tell culturally diverse fairy tales, folk tales, and nature stories. Often, children will hear the story first, watch a puppet story, and then act it out after they have learned it by heart.
“The first 7 years is the foundation of life. The health of the soil determines the strength of the plant and allows the blossom to unfold in all its radiance. “
Of central importance here at Blessing Farm and Forest preschool is the time children spend moving around freely outside. Children need ample space and time to move their bodies, to test their limits, and to take risks. This time is essential for children to fully integrate their senses. This practice and integration help’s to lay the foundation for academic learning as well as to simply allow them to gain confidence and grace in movement.
In addition, we hold profound reverence and appreciation for Mother Nature and all of her wonders and mysteries. Through daily observation and interaction with the plants and animals that inhabit the farm and forest, the children naturally form a personal and authentic relationship with Mother Nature and her creatures. The teachers encourage this heart-based connection through nature stories, seasonal songs, finger plays, and gentle guidance in gratitude and reverence.
Our Daily Rhythm
9:00 – 9:10
Drop off and Community Connection Time
9:10 – 9:15
Good Morning Circle with Families
9:15 – 10:45
Hike Adventure or Free Play, Care for Farm Animals, and Community Activities
10:45 – 11:00
Movement Song Circle or Story Time
11:00 – 11:30
Homemade Community Meal with Garden Tea
11:30 – 12:15
Wash dishes, Free Play in our Wild and Fun Permaculture Food Forest
12:15 – 12:30
Short Game and Goodbye!
Nurturing Childhood
Through spending time with the animals on our urban homestead, children develop a sense of empathy, responsibility and compassion.
Children use all their senses while exploring and playing freely in the farm-play yard and in nature. They are encouraged to follow their natural curiosity, which leads to organic discoveries and authentic learning.
We understand, honor, and deeply value the importance of free play. During play, the children are gifted the time and space to explore the dynamics of relationships and develop social and emotional skills.
What our happy families are saying
“I couldn’t recommend this program with more enthusiasm!“
“I loved that my child was free to be himself in a safe outdoor environment with teachers who cared for him as a whole person. My child built on his skills of climbing, balancing, jumping, as well as many other physical aspects but also he grew socially and worked on becoming more independent in solving problems with peers. I gained a wonderful community and learned wonderful new songs to sing with my children. ” Kalila Johnson
“BFF has meant more to our family than we could ever have imagined!”
“BFF has meant more to our family than we could ever have imagined. We knew it would be adventurous and challenging, but we never thought it would expand our daughter’s consciousness and understanding of the beauty of the Earth and common humanity in the way this sweet community has. She still has 2 years left and we are already dreading the day she ages out.” Rachel Mikolasy
“The best choice we ever made!”
“I loved being part of a warm community, spending time with the animals, and coming together for morning circle time. I had a sense of peace knowing that our child was learning and growing in a loving caring place. My child learned a caring respect and compassion for nature and animals. His balance improved because of free play and he learned emotional and social skills. He gained an overall sense of freedom to learn and grow.” Melissa and Craig Cotter