Green Philosophy

Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool seeks to co-construct information as part of a broader, over-arching goal of cooperative living and community building.

Components of our Green Philosophy include

• A nature-centered curriculum, with inviting school grounds that serve as learning environments for the students.
• Hands-on environmental instruction, through discovery and exploration of the five senses in nature, is part of our everyday classroom routine.

Why do we focus on a green curriculum?

For one, it’s good both for the earth and for our children’s character, building a sense of responsibility and stewardship as citizens not simply of a particular country but of our earth. Through conscious choices in the classroom, we reduce our impact on the earth’s resources and hopefully begin a lifelong appreciation of sustainability.

Perhaps even more important, though, is what a relationship with nature does for our children personally. Green curriculum is good for childrens’ intellects, emotional lives and imaginations. Students become aware of cycles and processes of life on a macro and micro level, through activities and discussions that reflect the changing seasons and, when they can, bring us through the beginning, middle and end of a process. The natural environment provides broad examples of sensory differences and helps them discriminate and become aware, opening up their worlds to different details in texture, hues, tones of sound and other nuances of the five senses. Finally, green curriculum seeks to provide balance to the stressors of a very busy modern world by building a comfort with self. Time spent in nature can engender an ability to self- regulate, to take oneself to a calmer place when a child feels the need. Connections to the natural world can aid in feeling centered and calm, improving focus and concentration, jumpstarting the ability to make connections, fire up the imagination, and help with problem-solving skills.