History of The Cedarsong Way Nature Pedagogy

~ Did you have opportunities to play outside as a child? How did you like to play? Do you still take time to play?

~ Have you had a nature mentor?

~ Based on the Cedarsong Way educational philosophy, why is unstructured free time in nature vital for children?

~ How does this educational philosophy align with or differ from your own?

~ What is a Forest Kindergarten?

Foundational Principles Overview 

~ Which of these foundational principles do you most resonate with?

~ Are there any you find challenging?

~ Are there any other principles you would add?

Nature Immersion

~ Is 100% nature immersion essential for applying the Cedarsong Way pedagogy? Why or Why not?

~ What do you see as the difference between public school recess, structured outdoor programs, and the nature immersion model of being outdoors?

~ How is unstructured different from unsupervised?

~ What are some ways nature immersion supports social and emotional development?

~ How can nature immersion impact cognitive development?

~ Have you witnessed the physical benefits experienced by spending extended time outdoors?

~ Can you name some elements necessary for a successful nature immersion experience?

Flow Learning 

~ How does not having an agenda serve children?

~ When do you think it is best to start teaching academics?

~ What skills do you feel are the most important for young children to be learning?

~ How does Flow Learning lend itself to STEAM learning?

~ How do you define ‘kindergarten readiness’?

Documenting an Emergent Curriculum

~ What are some ways to document learning?

~ How can children be involved in the documentation?

~ Why is it important to include children’s observations?

~ How can documenting learning support students? Educators? Families?

Place-based Education & Compassion Scaffolding

~ What is your commitment to earth stewardship or environmental activism?

~ How can you acknowledge that Earth is a living being with students?

~ Are there any places you feel particularly connected with in nature?

~ What does connecting with a place do for a child?

~ Why is it beneficial to see oneself as part of nature?

~ How do we cultivate benevolent leaders?

~ What are your thoughts around what it means to be a good leader?

Positive Reinforcement & Small Class Size

~ Why does the Cedarsong Way value a small class size and low student to teacher ratio?

~ How and when is positive reinforcement best offered?

~ What does it mean to redirect?

Individual Empowerment and Group Bonding

~ What are some ways you like to create a safe space for individual growth as well as group bonding?

~ What are some ways to empower a child?

~ What if the group does not seem cohesive? What can you do?