Learn more about what we do
Philosophy and Values
VALUES
We Value the HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A CHILD.
We believe that not only is every human whole, but every human heart is whole and full of an endless amount of love that can be offered to all. First and foremost, we honor the importance of the social/emotional health of our students and believe in encouraging the development of a strong self-image as competent and capable human beings. We use language and encourage activities that promote development of positive self-esteem, self-image, and resilience. We encourage authentic relationships grounded in kindness, compassion, acknowledgement, and acceptance. We strive to create an environment in which the young child feels secure, loved and recognized while encouraging children to develop, respect, and set boundaries for themselves.
We value conflict resolution and empowering children to work through their own disagreements. Teacher encouragement, support, and tools to check in with self and others are offered when needed.
We Value OPEN ENDED PLAY.
Play is the children’s work; it exercises their creativity and imagination and lays the groundwork for a life-long love of learning. Research shows that play is likely the most effective way for children to learn life skills and discover their interests and passions. Early learning experiences for children serve to deepen their desire to learn and to be curious about the world. Play is how children learn to develop boundaries, both physical and social while fostering self confidence and the ability to express themselves. We believe in providing a cozy, safe, nurturing and beautiful environment for young children where they are given the autonomy to explore the natural world given long periods of uninterrupted play. Children’s personal and physical safety is safeguarded, while allowing for risk and challenge as appropriate to the capabilities of the child.
We value LEARNING WITH THE EARTHS RHYTHMS.
We operate with an understanding and experience that nature sustains life and nurtures, heals and inspires us. Spending the majority of our time outside, the children have to the opportunity to discover and observe changes in nature throughout the changing seasons. Seasonal festivals are celebrated through crafts, stories, songs, and special activities that deepen the child’s connection to the rhythms of nature throughout the year. We talk about plants and their medicinal properties and make seasonal medicine to bring home to share with families, we are able to witness the diverse wildlife of the land, such as wild wood duck nesting and lamprey eel spawning. We have open inquiry based conversations that encourage observation of the natural world in which we are interacting.
We Value PROCESS OVER PRODUCT.
We encourage children’s innate creativity and curiosity by offering more open ended experiences for children to explore materials in different ways. When a project is open ended and no model is shown, children have the opportunity to experience the materials and to integrate knowledge and to truly learn from the experience. At Whole Heart, we want to make sure that anything your child attempts to do , they are supported in doing in their own way, at their own pace.
WE VALUE RESELIANCE
A large part of what sets our program a part is that we are based primarily outside, all year long, in all weather.
Giving children the opportunity to consistently experience nature in all its elements builds great resilience, strengthens children’s ability to be self aware, self regulate and connect to themselves. They connect with the discomfort that might be felt on a rainy day and learn to have fun anyway. (and sometimes just sit with the discomfort!) We often shy away from quick solutions or accommodations and instead see the value in letting children learn to sit with discomfort. Always with a loving and gentle disposition, we prioritize encouraging children to learn to care for themselves, take care of their own needs,and become self reliant and in tune with themselves and their bodies. For example, encouraging them to notice and be mindful of when they are wet, cold, hot, hungry, etc…and what they can do themselves to help themselves feel better or articulate what they need to their friends, teacher, or family.
Every school day, children have the opportunity to grow confidence, perseverance, and resourcefulness.
WE VALUE COMMUNITY
We strive to create a culture of community within our school and beyond.
We understand that children do their best learning when they feel a sense of trust and connection. To foster this sense of genuine connection and belonging we operate with the understanding that every child has something special and unique to offer and everyone is an important part of our whole. This goes beyond our small preschool class and also applies to our relationship with all creatures and plants in our immediate environment and beyond. We strive to create an environment of kindness, respect, and looking out for one another as well as a sense that everyone deserves to be cared for, appreciated, and is needed for what they have to offer.
Potlucks, work parties, community projects, and seasonal festivals are chances for our Whole Heart school community to gather, get to know each other and model a sense of community to the children through sharing food, making art together, and finding common connection.