Remember those days when you would fling open your back door and race to join your friends exploring the woods, meadow, creeks and hills — never mind the weather — and just get yourself lost in nature until the dinner bell rang?
Nature at Heart School is on a mission to ignite this passion for exploration in children. Founded in 2020 by Melissa Ferrao and Ruth Denys, teachers who loved to do outdoor activities with their kids, the school is a shared dream of inspiring children to connect with nature. “Over the years, I noticed how students in my class were having issues regulating emotions and I started to delve into the benefits of nature-based learning and outdoor play,” Denys says.
“Now, more than ever, this type of education is critical,” Ferrao says. “As teachers, we both noticed the more time children spent on technology and devices, the less engaged they were in with the world around them — people included — which can affect how they develop empathy.”
Based at Chimney Rock Park in Bridgewater, the school offers a variety of weekly classes throughout the year for children 2 to 10 years old; during the summer, week-long camp classes are part of their programming. Younger children attend classes with their grown-ups and older children are dropped off at class.
Supported by teacher Julie Jay and controller Devon Benavente, Ferrao and Denys provide a curriculum that balances unstructured exploration in a structured framework. “There’s a routine: The classes begin with time for exploration, followed by a gathering of grateful hearts during which we circle up and show our gratitude and start the lesson or introduce an idea or concept,” says Ferrao. “Then, a large portion of the time is spent engaging in an activity, like hiking in the forest. Next, we gather together and journal — whether through pictures or written words or both — to reflect on what was experienced in that class. We end with a final closing song.”
The teachers focus on local plants, animals and elements so the children can take their knowledge from class to wherever they are — in town or in their backyard. The activities are designed to build resilience and confidence. Children are empowered by using their bodies for movement and balancing. They practice problem-solving and team-building while playing the games and improve their literacy with journaling.
School takes place regardless of weather. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” Denys says. “You just need to make sure children have the right gear. They don’t get as cold as quickly as we assume.”
“Parents should trust their children’s curiosity,” Ferrao says. “As adults, we should trust their ability to navigate situations. Maybe instead of being so quick to say ‘Be careful,’ say ‘How's your balance? You know, the rocks are a bit slippery, so be mindful as you're walking across them.’”
Get out and explore at natureatheartschool.com.