Little Explorers Forest Programs

Thanks for looking into Little Explorers Forest Programs. I’m Becky the owner of Little Explorer’s Forest Programs. My passion and excitement for nature and outdoor education runs deep. I grew up running around on my parents farm where opportunities for experiential education were abundant! My love of nature and exploration lead to a degree at the University of Calgary in Outdoor Pursuits. After University I began a decade of extensive travel and exploration of some of the wildest parts of our planet as a professional whitewater kayaker. I have always enjoyed sharing my excitement for nature with others. After having a son I discovered the importance of instilling a passion for nature and a sense of exploration in children.

Mission
To increase children’s physical contact with nature which will help children thrive socially, physically, spiritually and psychologically.
To immerse children in nature, allowing time for exploration and discovery, and time to foster an intimate relationship with the natural world through hands on experiential learning.

Vision
To provide a safe and supportive environment for children to be children. To allow children to explore, learn, create, experiment, imagine, observe, and adventure in nature. To develop an appreciation of our natural world in children which will develop a deeper relationship to themselves, their peers, their educator and their natural environment. To encourage children by giving them the time and space for uninterrupted, unstructured free play outside to be themselves and get dirty, wet and be wild and free!
To infuse some of my passion and love for our natural world into the children so they can experience the joy, wonder, gratitude and freedom that nature shares with us.

I believe that unstructured free play outdoors is fundamental to healthy development and learning. Unstructured play offers time for self created play and allows children a sense of freedom and time to get lost in their play. Children will have time to explore what excites and intrigues them either on their own or through social interaction and collaboration with peers. Following the aspirations of the children can unfold some very inspiring learning and build a child’s self concept and strengthen emotional intelligence which in turn will help build social skills.

Children will have a hands on connection in their learning environment and will be encouraged to touch, catch, eat, climb and tend. This experiential learning creates a sense of self reliance and self confidence. Children will learn to (and be encouraged to) trust their inherent ability to ask questions, solve problems, be creative, and celebrate their imagination. Inquiry based learning allows children to ask themselves questions to try to figure out the answers instead of looking to a teacher for answers.Through purposeful, direct and hands on interactions with their world around them, the children will develop a sense of belonging, responsibility and love of the natural world, feeling like they are a part of a larger whole.

More info
http://www.wisdomoftheearth.ca/art-of-mentoring-2016-new/
http://www.forestschoolcanada.ca
http://8shields.com