Invitation to Learn Through Nature
The importance of an outdoor classroom
“Believe me, you will find more lessons in the woods than in books. Trees and stones will teach you what you cannot learn from masters.”
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Loose Parts
The Power of Loose Parts in Our Outdoor Classroom
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, our classroom is the outdoors. Our curriculum isn’t confined to four walls—it’s shaped by the trees, leaves, dirt, moss, and, most importantly, your child’s imagination.
Each day, students are given the opportunity to use our classroom’s materials and natural objects as invitations to explore, create, and problem-solve. These materials—often referred to as "loose parts"—are open-ended, meaning they can be used in countless ways, encouraging children to think critically, engineer their own creations, and collaborate with peers.
Loose parts might be sticks, stones, shells, fabric, wooden blocks, pinecones, or repurposed materials. The magic lies in their flexibility: today, a child might use them to build a fairy house, and tomorrow, they could become a bridge, a counting tool, or a piece of art. This kind of dynamic, child-led play fosters deeper learning as children experiment, adapt, and innovate.
Our role as educators is to observe, inspire, and gently challenge, providing prompts or guiding questions that stretch their thinking and problem-solving abilities. The beauty of loose parts is that they empower children to be the architects of their own learning—discovering solutions, testing ideas, and building confidence in their abilities.
Through this approach, children develop not just academic skills, but also resilience, creativity, independence, and teamwork—qualities that will serve them for a lifetime.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, learning is limitless, just like a child’s imagination.
Nature is Engaging
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, learning isn’t passive—it’s an active, full-body experience that engages all the senses, all year round.
As children navigate our outdoor classroom, they are immersed in an ever-changing landscape of sounds, sights, smells, textures, and even temperature shifts. Unlike static indoor environments, nature provides constant sensory input that stimulates the brain in powerful ways. Each rustling leaf, crisp winter breeze, and damp patch of moss fires new neural pathways, strengthening cognitive function and deepening learning.
This process—called neuroplasticity—is how children’s brains grow and adapt. When their brains are consistently exposed to varied and rich sensory experiences, they become more efficient at making connections, processing new information, and retaining knowledge with less repetition. This sensory integration not only enhances memory and problem-solving but also builds the foundation for higher-level thinking and complex academic skills.
Beyond academics, engaging all the senses in nature helps children develop self-regulation, resilience, and adaptability. Whether it’s learning to navigate icy trails in winter, feeling the texture of bark in spring, or listening to birdsong in summer, these experiences train the brain to be flexible and responsive, preparing children for life’s challenges.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, we believe that every season brings new opportunities for learning and growth. By embracing nature’s unpredictability, we give children the richest possible environment to develop, explore, and thrive.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, learning in nature isn’t just about academic growth—it’s about whole-body well-being. The outdoor classroom provides countless physical and mental health benefits, helping children feel their best while they learn, explore, and play.
When children spend their days outside, they are breathing in fresh air, which increases oxygen levels in their blood. More oxygen means better circulation, improved brain function, and clearer thinking. With this natural boost, children experience enhanced cognitive abilities, better focus, and stronger problem-solving skills—all of which directly support their academic success.
But the benefits go far beyond learning. Outdoor play engages the entire body, improving balance, coordination, strength, and endurance. Exposure to nature has even been shown to strengthen the immune system, helping children build resilience against illness.
And perhaps most importantly, time in nature is a powerful mood booster. Being connected to the Earth has been scientifically linked to an increase in serotonin, the “happy hormone.” This reduces stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, promoting emotional well-being and self-regulation. A child who feels grounded, happy, and at peace is naturally more open to learning and forming meaningful connections.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, we recognize that a child’s health directly impacts their ability to thrive. By immersing them in nature year-round, we provide an environment that nurtures not just their minds, but also their bodies and hearts—giving them the foundation for a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling life.
Health Benefits
As a former public school teacher, one of the greatest challenges I faced was teaching about the world without truly experiencing it. We read books, watched videos, and did creative activities, but so often, we weren’t able to step outside and engage with the concepts firsthand. Learning felt incomplete—like something was missing.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, that missing piece is restored through real, hands-on experiences. Here, children don’t just learn about the world—they interact with it, shape it, and problem-solve within it. Our classroom extends far beyond the forest; it reaches into gardens, homesteading projects, building sites, and even real-world adventures.
Throughout the year, children take part in:
Homesteading and Gardening – Planting, harvesting, preserving food, and understanding where their nourishment comes from.
Building Projects – Designing, constructing, and using tools to create functional structures, reinforcing problem-solving and engineering skills.
Real-World Problem Solving – Tackling meaningful challenges, such as creating sustainable water systems, building wildlife habitats, or navigating outdoor survival tasks.
Field Trips – Exploring farms, nature preserves, historical sites, and other real-world learning spaces that deepen their understanding and spark curiosity.
Entrepreneurial Learning – Selling homemade or hand-crafted goods, developing real-life math, business, and communication skills.
These authentic experiences bring learning full circle—children see, do, and understand in ways that no textbook could ever replicate. They don’t just memorize information; they live it, apply it, and carry it forward.
At Organic Roots Schoolhouse, we are raising capable, curious, and self-sufficient learners—children who don’t just know about the world but are ready to engage with it, shape it, and thrive in it.
Authentic and Real World Learning
