Nature-Based Preschool
Flathead Valley, Montana

Chickadee Nature-Based Early Learning Presschool - Classes Kalispell Flathead Valley Montana

Contact & Information
Ansley Ford (406) 885-5321

Why Nature-Based Preschool?

Though the main principal of Chickadee Preschool is Nature-Based Learning, it is really a hybridized approach. Children learn in so many different ways, and there is no “one size fits all”. As a mother, a teacher, and a naturalist, I try to take the best of several different approaches to early learning, in order to meet the learning styles of all of the children. Chickadee preschool blends Nature-Based, Home-Based, Place-Based and Traditional learning styles.

 

Nature Based Preschool Flathead Valley

Nature-Based Preschool has proven to benefit children in many ways: physically, mentally, cognitively and emotionally. First, children spend the majority of their time outdoors, getting lots of physical activity- running, jumping and climbing. This improves their physical health and gross motor skills. Picking up and studying rocks, leaves, pine cones, and flowers improves fine motor skills. Mentally, spending time in nature is good for all of us. Nature calms us, reduces stress, and improves our moods. Cognitively, nature-based learning promotes creativity, attention to detail and memory. And emotionally, spending time learning in nature builds resiliency and empathy, and playing with other children outdoors promotes cooperation and problem-solving skills.


 

Why Home-Based?

Home-based preschool offers many benefits. The student-teacher ratio is low, so children get more individualized attention. I am a mother and a natural nurturer, so children feel safe and loved. Being in a small group of children also means forming closer relationships with peers. It is usually easier for children to feel comfortable joining a small group, rather than a large group, so they are able to more readily “be themselves” in a home-based program. Also, for a first “school” experience, going to a home environment, rather than a large school building can be less intimidating for young children. My home is full of love and full of pets! Children are able to pet and care for friendly dogs, cats and rabbits. We have fish and geckos to observe and chickens to feed, with eggs to collect. We have horses down the road to visit and share apples with.


 

Why Place-Based?

Place-Based Education uses our local community, environment and history for learning. I have developed a Place-Based curriculum called “ABCs of Flathead Valley”, that includes a workbook for each child and thematic stories, songs and crafts for each letter of the alphabet. For example, the classic A is for apple. Place-Based Education takes it one step further: we adventure into the woods to find wild apple trees planted by early homesteaders, pick an apple, and eat it for our snack under the trees.


 

Why Traditional?

Children like to know what is happening. Preschool age children tend to do best with a consistent routine. Routines help children feel safe and tend to reduce anxiety. In a traditional preschool, a daily routine is followed that includes time to sit, time to listen (to the teacher and to peers), and time for academic work. All of these skills are incorporated (in small doses) at Chickadee to help preschoolers transition into kindergarten.


 

Why Half-Day?

Many families have full-time working parents, and children must attend full day daycare or preschool. Other families have one parent at home, parents who work from home, or grandparents who are available to care for the children part-time. In situations like this, families often look for half-day preschool, mainly for socialization purposes and to have children practice time away from Mom and Dad. Chickadee meets just one morning a week for 3- young 4 year olds, and two mornings a week for 4-5 year olds. For many children this is their first time away from home without their parents. Some children may be shy, introverted, or afraid to be away from home. Short and sweet experiences keep things positive and help children transition into the longer days of kindergarten.