Erin Phillips, M.Ed., lead teacher of Cincinnati Nature Center’s kindergarten-2nd grade Nature School, was tapped to present for the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference in Cincinnati later this month. This national conference is coordinated by the Natural Start Alliance, a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Her presentation, titled “A Day in the Life of a K-2 Nature School,” will give attendees a brief history of the Nature Center’s nature-based schools, tips for leading nature-based elementary education, and hands-on activities.

The story of Erin’s role at the Nature Center can be traced back to one of the founding tenets of the organization—children need to have a personal experience in nature.

Children and Nature

Children and being outside are made for each other. Outdoors, kids can explore, pretend, and play—and even get good and dirty. Plus, more and more studies back this idea—kids need nature and time outside. From improving social bonds and emotional regulation to strengthening muscles and practicing motor skills, outside play and exploration is vital to a healthy and well-developed childhood.

Building on their founding vision and the science that supported the importance of nature experiences for children, Cincinnati Nature Center established one of the area’s first licensed nature-based preschools in 2012. As the preschool grew and kids flourished, parents began to ask for more options to keep their children in nature school after age 5, when they would age out of the program.

In 2020, the Nature Center launched its kindergarten through 2nd grade nature school as an alternative to traditional early elementary school programs. Operating under a homeschool license, the Nature School emphasizes a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math) education through a Montessori and nature-based approach. Students spend about half of their days outdoors and about half the day in the classroom.

“Our Nature School integrates schoolroom academics with real-life experiences in nature,” says Erin. “So many of our beliefs and values are set in the early years of our lives. In our preschool and K-2 classes, we immerse children in nature and begin to build that deep love of and desire to care for our Earth. Children learn to be curious rather than afraid and to see that they can already start to make a difference for the future. We are growing a new generation of well-rounded, thoughtful conservationists.”

The K-2 program is growing rapidly, thanks to Erin’s dedication and leadership in and outside of the classroom. For the 2022-23 school year, the program is expanding to serve 22 students.

Nature School parent Kate Lee says, “Driving to the Nature School feels like you are entering a fairytale, but the real magic is the Nature Center’s dedication to child-led learning. I value their deep appreciation of the wonder of the world around us and their ability to provide quality instruction without compromising childhood spirit.”

For more information on the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference, visit https://conference.naturalstart.org/.

For more information about the Nature Center’s K-2 Nature School, visit: www.CincyNature.org.