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Why Forest Kindergarten?


The average North American child spends seven hours per day in front of a screen, compared to 30 minutes per day playing outside in a natural setting. Yet recent research indicates that experiences in nature are essential for healthy growth and development. Many children are missing a crucial stage of their development- connection to nature. Abundant time in natural settings yields long term benefits in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. The Playgarden’s Jacksonville Beach Kindergarten programs honor the forest research and provides an exemplary outdoor environmental education experience for our children.

Just like our traditional program at The Playgarden preschool in Jacksonville FL, our Forest Kindergarten program recognizes the benefits of following a predictable rhythm to bring order to our school days. In the forest, we follow a consistent rhythm, rather than the clock. The timing of our activities, snack and story are flexible depending on what Mother Nature brings our way. Her lesson plans may not always match up with mine, but they are always better. Who can resist watching baby frogs make their journey from the pond to the grassy banks? Children can take the time they need to size up the limbs of a tree and decide if it’s a good climbing tree, and then test their skills and climb it!

Our Jacksonville FL parks system has made exploring our barrier island ecosystem easily available to all. Hanna Park and Dutton Island Preserve provide the perfect setting with their pristine Florida scrub hammock, forest, wetland, dunes, and beach all in one location. Did you know that Atlantic Beach Parks and Recreation provides ATV wheel chairs, at no cost to you? Dutton Island offers many nature inspired events on Saturdays, throughout the year.

At Hanna Park, visit our friends at Adventure Kayak, and they can guide you on the best ways to explore the park - hiking, biking and kayaking.

In a time when the connection between humans and the rest of nature is most vulnerable, our Forest Kindergarten gives children daily opportunities to develop a deep positive connection with nature. We take care of what we love. Our natural environment needs our love and protection.

- With Joy, Miss Lynn

"Go Outside! Exercise your wonder muscle!"

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223 8th Ave S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Office Hours: 8am-4:30pm

Phone: (904) 241-3259

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©2018 by The Playgarden, Inc.

The Playgarden, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs (#CO4DU0093).   

 

“A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Registration #CH42628 

The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) FDACS.gov.

The Playgarden, Inc. honors the Indigenous Peoples of the North Florida land on which we work and live including the Timucuan, Mocamas, Guales, Yamasees, and their ancestors. Please visit Heca Utimile (Our Land) for more information. We also respect the unique culture of the Gullah Geechee people who have traditionally resided in the coastal areas and the sea islands of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Please visit The Gullah Geechee Cultural Corridor Commission for more information.

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