From the fun and colorful schoolroom and play yard to the surrounding gardens , pond , trails , and forests , Fiddleheads takes full advantage of Manchester ’ s natural resources . “ We use nature as our co-teacher ,” Rhys likes to say . She and her small , skilled team of like-minded educators integrate cutting-edge experiential and sensory learning techniques with accessible , well-curated lesson plans . In doing so , they are blazing innovative educational trails in every sense . In the midst of finishing the spring semester and preparing for the summer program , Rhys shared the inspiration behind Fiddleheads ’ curriculum , her thoughts on the transformative power of immersive , outdoor education , and the full-circle story of her journey as an educator and native Vermonter .
A Day in the Forest
Fiddleheads ’ primary program , the Forest Preschool , takes place Monday through Thursday from 9am – 1pm throughout the school year , September through June . Children ages three through six enroll on a yearly basis , and parents are encouraged to apply well in advance . Class sizes typically range from ten to twelve students , and afterschool programming is also available for parents who opt for later pickup times . The day begins with dropoff at 9:00am . After the children arrive , Rhys and her co-educators , Kristin Beavor and Michelle Aldrich , and Rhys ’ mother , Bonnie Bean , AKA “ Grandma Bonnie ,” run through a “ forest preparedness ” checklist . “ My mother is an experienced educator who has been teaching for decades ,” says Rhys . “ She loves bringing our dogs on our forest walks and reading stories to our students .” The checklist includes seasonally-appropriate clothing , lunch , and snacks , as well as additional seasonal safety and transportation equipment . “ We walk to the forest whenever possible ,” says Rhys .
“ If the high temperature for the day is below 35 ° F or it is raining or snowing heavily , we will stay on the school grounds for the day , but we always go outside . Safety is our highest priority .”
Upon completing the preparedness check , students are led through the gate of the play yard , passing the school building and several additional farm-style outbuildings on the Fiddleheads property . Behind the school building , a garden and orchard with several fruit trees , a greenhouse , and a bee colony serve as the site of outdoor activities in the Summer and Fall . A barn with hay bales and several chickens stands next to a small hillside clearing and pond .
“ We go sledding down the hill , and we hold seasonal celebrations there , including a lighted spiral ceremony during the winter solstice .” shares Rhys . “ We often walk around the pond and experience the ecology there . We see muskrats , turtles , and all kinds of animals , and the children get to know them .”
The trail continues onward , passing Manchester Elementary and Middle
School and the Manchester Community Garden . It leads through Dana L . Thompson Memorial Park , passing by the skatepark , Applejack Stadium , and the dog park enclosure . Along the trail , the children pause for snack time , replenishing their energy amidst the beauty of nature . After walking through the park , Rhys brings her students into a small forest clearing . Here , the natural world becomes their classroom . Their daily schedule is carefully crafted to immerse them in enriching experiences that blend play , exploration , and environmental education . Upon arriving , students sit down and engage in a practice called “ noticing ,” where they quietly observe their surroundings for several minutes . They then share their observations with the group , fostering awareness of the natural world .
After coming together in the circle , they break away and engage in a myriad of play and child-led learning activities . From building fairy houses and baking imaginary treats in the forest “ bakery ” to embarking on imaginary voyages aboard a fallen log “ boat ,” the forest becomes a canvas for their boundless creativity and imagination . According to Rhys , this type of outdoor , imaginary play is deeply intertwined with problem solving and creative thinking later in life . The educational principles of forest school also hold opportunity for risk-taking and sensory exploration . “ We really honor child-led risk-taking ,” she explains . “ We provide safe opportunities for children to explore their own boundaries .” By engaging in activities like climbing trees and navigating uneven terrain , children learn to assess risk and build resilience . “ It helps children learn how to make careful and informed choices for themselves ,” notes Rhys . “ It also helps their neurological development and processing ability .”
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