Where learning comes naturally.

Where learning comes naturally.

As children observe, reflect, record, and share nature s wonders, they are participating in a process that promotes scientific and ecological awareness, problem solving, and creativity. Deb Matthews Hensley Photo Credit: Adam Jones

CONTENTS Registration & Info 3 Quick Facts 5 Philosophy & Goals 7 Benefits of Learning 9 in Nature 1

2 Photo Credit: Allison Russell When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength. Maria Montessori

Zoo School Registration & Information ZOO SCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR THE 2016 17 YEAR OPENS ON MAY 24, 2016 AT 11:00 AM. Started in 2004, Zoo School is a fully licensed preschool. It is one of the only preschools in San Antonio that uses nature as the integrating thread tying together the school s philosophy, methodologies, classroom design and outdoor spaces. ZOO SCHOOL INFORMATION Zoo School is a nature-based preschool. The 2016-17 school year runs from September 15, 2016 to May 19, 2017. Classes are conducted either from 8:45 am to 1:45 pm or 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Zoo School students should be ages 3-5 and display confidence in toileting and dressing themselves. The teacher to student ratio is one teacher to every 8 students. There are three registration options: > 5-DAY: Monday through Friday > 3-DAY: Monday, Wednesday and Friday > 2-DAY: Tuesday and Thursday ZOO SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL: Spend at least 50% of each day outdoors Explore the zoo every day and participate in animal interactions and demonstrations Cultivate an appreciation for the codependence we have with plants and animals Investigate their own curiosity about their surroundings with compassion and care Recognize that learning can be as much of a serious hands-on experience as it is messy fun Engage in motor activities to develop spatial awareness and place value on daily exercise Foster a lifelong passion for habitat conservation and self-directed learning Play with natural materials, such as rocks, dirt, water, sand, twigs and leaves (expect your child to come home sweaty, dirty, and happy) TUITION AND FEES 5-DAY PROGRAM: $750 a month 3-DAY PROGRAM: $500 a month 2-DAY PROGRAM: $350 a month Registration Fee: $400.00 Waiting List Fee: $15.00 3

4 I love knowing when I pick my daughter up from Zoo School she will be sweaty, dirty, tired and brimming with excitement about all she learned and explored that day. Zoo School brings out the best in her. Kelli Thomas

Quick Facts About Zoo School View the world through a lens of conservation & zoology Outside and in the Zoo at least half of every day Child centered with focus on play Low teacher:student ratios Flexible schedule focus on learning through play, self-initiated learning, & creative expression (the NAEYC program standard) uses portions of philosophy from Montessori, Regio Emilia, and nature-based preschool best practices. We incorporate the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence in early childhood environmental education. Very amily and community oriented. Through campouts, picnics and other amily events, Zoo School works closely with parents to support the whole amily getting outside and enjoying nature. Science, Engineering, Art, & Math based 5

No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship. James Comer 6

Teaching Philosophy & Goals 1 EDUCATION: Zoo School s focus is to excite and engage children to embark on a lifelong journey of exploration, learning and wonder. By using a very child-centered approach, Zoo School embraces children s innate fascination with nature and animals to spark their interest in math, science, art, language and more. Whether it s making a hypothesis on how many green snakes can be found on a daily walk or writing their name on a present to be delivered to the monkeys, children are constantly engaged in conversations and play that stimulate discovery, cooperation and independent thinking. 2 NATURE CONNECTION: From deserts and rainforests, to butterflies and giraffes, to mud puddles and bird dances, Zoo School empowers children to appreciate, protect and understand the world around them. First, Zoo School helps children become more aware of their surroundings. We then work to instill a connection to the natural world - including even the crawly bugs that they maybe didn t like before Zoo School. By modeling care and compassion, instructors help children understand how to protect and appreciate the world s amazing plants, animals and habitats. Through daily Zoo tours and lots of time spent playing outside as a group, Zoo School helps children become more self-confident, not only in their discovery and exploration of the natural world but also in themselves and their relationship with others. 3 KINDERGARTEN READINESS: With a focus on student growth in math, pre-literacy, art, social, practical, gross and fine motor skills, Zoo School goes beyond kindergarten readiness to encourage a passion for lifelong learning. By fostering student independence, confidence and critical thinking skills, instructors help all students grow so they are ready to excel not only in kindergarten but also throughout life. 7

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Fred Rogers Photo Credit: Allison Russell 8

A FEW BENEFITS OF LEARNING IN NATURE Children with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are better able to concentrate after contact with nature (Taylor et al. 2001). Children with views of and contact with nature score higher on tests of concentration and self-discipline. The greener the experience, the better the scores (Wells 2000, Taylor et al. 2002). Children who play regularly in natural environments show more advanced motor fitness, including coordination, balance and agility, and they are sick less often (Grahn, et al. 1997, Fjortoft & Sageie 2001). When children play in natural environments, their play is more diverse with imaginative and creative play that fosters language and collaborative skills (Moore & Wong 1997, Taylor, et al. 1998, Fjortoft 2000). Exposure to natural environments improves children s cognitive development by improving their awareness, reasoning and observational skills (Pyle 2002). Nature buffers the impact of life s stresses on children and helps them deal with adversity. The greater the amount of nature exposure, the greater the benefits (Wells & Evans 2003). Play in a diverse natural environment reduces or eliminates bullying (Malone & Tranter 2003). Nature helps children develop powers of observation and creativity and instills a sense of peace and being at one with the world (Crain 2001). Early experiences with the natural world have been positively linked with the development of imagination and the sense of wonder (Cobb 1977, Louv 1991). Wonder is an important motivator for life long learning (Wilson 1997). Children who play in nature have more positive feelings about each other (Moore 1996). Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children (Moore 1986, Bixler et al. 2002). Outdoor environments are important to children s development of independence and autonomy (Bartlett 1996). Play in outdoor environments stimulates all aspects of children development more readily than indoor environments (Moore & Wong 1997). 9

Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better. Albert Einstein