What We Do
Since 2018, we have have worked to build a community that fosters a sense of mindfulness, curiosity, and a deeply-rooted connection to nature.
Our Mission at Fiddleheads
Early childhood is the most important time in life for building a strong sense of self, belonging, creativity, and connection to the natural world. At Fiddleheads, children lay the foundation for these life sustaining connections through outdoor play.
Young children are forming an understanding of themselves in the world. Exploring socialization on their own terms in a natural environment, children come to understand their place in the world through each other as well as the other species that surround us. Exposing them to nature on a daily basis helps to expand their sense of self, sense of purpose, and sense of community.
Nature study, immersion into seasonal rhythms, and interpersonal relations are the core tenets of our program. We believe in encouraging children to explore freely while focusing on mindfulness, awareness, observation, and empathy. Our philosophy is built around connection to both the natural and human worlds.
We weave early literacy and number sense into our program, and prepare children to move with confidence and grace on the next steps in their academic journey.
Our goal at Fiddleheads is to endow your child with the gift of deep appreciation, understanding, and gratitude for the natural world. Through this process, they will also gain a life-long advantage in problem-solving, patience and confidence. These gifts, we believe, are invaluable.
“The nature-centric curriculum has fostered an appreciation and bravery for the outdoors in our children, no matter what the weather. It has been a delight attending the seasonal events as a family, to share our gratitude and appreciation for both the Fiddleheads community and for the beautiful learning environment of Mount Tabor.”
-Christina Maul Fiddleheads Parent
Fiddleheads Curriculum
Our curriculum is driven by what is actually happening around us. We focus on observing and celebrating the seasonal changes of the planet. Fiddleheads students learn about the patterns and traditions associated with each time of year.
Autumn is the season of harvest. It is a wonderful season to kick off the school year because the seasonal change is so striking… and so beautiful. Our street is lined with trees that take on the classic hues of Autumn foliage before falling to the ground.
As winter sets in, we explore how animals prepare for the long cold months ahead. We talk about the changing light, stars in the dark night skies, sleeping forests, hibernation, and water and ice. Colder, wetter days are opportunities for more focus on stories and small comforts like hot tea.
The days get longer and we observe the awakening of the forest. Plants sprouting and birds singing are excellent teachers. We partake in these happenings by making our own bird nests and planting our own seeds.
Fiddleheads curriculum is designed to build awareness. Both external and internal. We focus on mindfulness and empathy as the children learn to develop relationships. Checking in with our own bodies and feelings happens each morning, and attentive listening is practiced as we learn to identify and share these feelings. We strive to create an inclusive community of healthy, trusting students, connected to each other and to the natural world.
In addition to our core tenets of observation and awareness, we do a myriad of things to encourage kindergarten readiness. Through counting activities, crafts, species identification, and nature journaling— early literacy, reasoning and number sense are woven into the curriculum wherever possible and appropriate.