No classrooms, no Walls: why forest daycares win.

Have you ever heard the expression, "bouncing off the walls?"
​

Imagine a childcare center where the ceiling is the sky, the carpet is the forest floor, and the toys are sticks, mud, and pinecones.
No plastic blocks, no fluorescent lights. No four walls!

Welcome to the world of Nature daycares in BC.
While traditional early childhood education keeps children indoors for most of the day, nature daycares such as Little Bears are flipping the script.
I have written extensively on this topic, as it is a huge passion of mine to expose young minds to the wonder and magic of an outdoor classroom. Trading the traditional daycare experience for the wilderness is a massive win for developing minds and bodies.

Let's look at the indoor classroom. A traditional indoor childcare classroom is flat, predictable, and heavily cushioned. Nature is not!
When our children navigate uneven forest floors, climb low tree branches, and scramble over rocks, they develop superior motor skills. They learn balance, spatial awareness, and core strength naturally. Studies show that children in outdoor daycares fall less often and have better physical coordination than their indoor peers.

In a world that is increasingly bubble-wrapped, forest daycares teach children how to manage risk.
"Can I climb this log? Is this branch sturdy enough to hold my weight?" Children learn to ask these questions themselves rather than relying on an adult to say, "Be careful."
Instead, a watching educator might ask, "Do you feel safe?" This simple change in language allows the child to look within themselves and ask, "Do I feel safe?" while still maintaining their confidence during risky play. This language helps to support genuine critical thinking skills that will last a lifetime.

Plastic toys that light up and beep offer a cheap, artificial sensory experience. Nature provides the REAL DEAL.

The crunch of autumn leaves, the squish of rainy mud, the smells of damp earth, and the sound of wind in the trees activate all five senses simultaneously. This rich sensory environment calms the nervous system and helps to improve a child's cognitive thinking.

It sounds counterintuitive to many parents, but being outdoors in the natural dirt actually keeps your child healthier.
Regular exposure to diverse soil microbes strengthens a child's developing immune system. Furthermore, we tend to see fewer contagious illnesses because viruses are spread very quickly through poorly ventilated indoor classrooms, but they dissipate quickly in the open air.

Nature is also a natural stress-reliever. Children who struggle with the rigid structure and high noise levels of an indoor classroom often thrive outdoors! The endless space, by removing the four walls of a classroom, reduces friction and many behavioural conflicts between a child and their peers. If a child feels overwhelmed, they have the physical room to step away, breathe in the fresh air, and reset their bodies. The educators who work with these children can also do this, as working with children can sometimes be quite exhausting!

At Little Bears Childcare, we not only tolerate the outdoors and all the weather that comes with it, but we actually celebrate it! By taking away the traditional four walls and using the forest environment as the third teacher, we give children the freedom to learn through exploration, curiosity and wonder. What a wonderful way to spend your day as a little developing soul.
As always, thank you for reading.
With gratitude,
​Lexie