When the world is your classroom

The first outdoor preschool in Moscow and the second to be established in Idaho will wrap up its first year with an eye on expanding from two days a week to four.

The so-called “nature preschool,” Palouse Roots, was established at the beginning of the year by teacher and founder Darci Deaton in a partnership with the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute. For three hours a day, two days a week, a class of 12 children ages 4 to 7 attended preschool classes at PCEI’s Nature Center almost exclusively in an outdoor setting.

Deaton said she first encountered the concept of nature-centric schooling held outside when she saw a documentary called “School’s Out: Lessons From a Forest Kindergarten.” After the idea took root in her mind, Deaton said she visited forest kindergartens on the East Coast and another in Washington called Cedar Song where she received specialized teacher training to start a program herself.

“The philosophical underpinning of this nature preschool highly aligns with developmental milestones of these young children,” said PCEI Program Manager Heather Bell, who oversees the institute’s education programming.

“It’s promoting pro-social behaviors, it’s promoting awareness, interest, concern for oneself, one’s neighbor and the environment – the heart of what environmental education is all about.”

Deaton said there are a number of advantages associated with outdoor learning spaces. She described the curriculum as place- and play-based with the dimensions of instruction directed by the interests of the child. While her degree, obtained at the University of Idaho, is in international studies and graphic design, Deaton said virtually all of her work experience has dealt directly with children. In her experience, she said, children are much more engaged and receptive to instruction when they’re being taught in an outdoor space.

“These kids have really developed a deep curiosity for the world around them, they’re really interested in what’s happening,” Deaton said. “… There’s a quote by the woman who I trained under – she says, ‘kids can’t bounce off the walls if there are no walls.’ ”

Deaton said being outside also lends her endless teaching tools. With a little guidance, children learn about the weather, the seasons and local flora and fauna through direct contact with nature. Deaton said classes are held outside year round, and when the weather does not cooperate, the children learn to play in the rain.

“If the kids are dressed well, and they stay dry, and they have good insulation, and they’re moving and they have a lot of calories to keep them warm, then they do great outside,” Deaton said. “In the winter, they just put a lot more layers underneath that rain gear and that just keeps them dry.”

In its second year, Palouse Roots will offer classes four days a week for four hours a day instead of three, and Deaton said she hopes to focus more on their toddler program. She said once the school is more established, she would also like to investigate offering summer programming.