ANCIENT FUTURES
Place-based Education
Honoring the Land, the Water and the Steh-Chass People
With gratitude and humility, we honor the land, the water and the First People.
We acknowledge that this land and water is the traditional territory of the Steh-Chass people. The Steh-Chass people are of the Squaxin Island Tribe.
The surrounding mountains, valleys, shorelines and waterways are imbued with their presence.
We seek to nurture our relationship with our Coast Salish neighbors and our shared responsibilities to this place — their homelands — where we mutually abide.
To learn more about supporting tribal initiatives go to Learning Right Relations https://learningrightrelations.org/
To learn more about the Squaxin Island Tribe go to https://squaxinislandmuseum.org/
To learn about the history of Steh-Chass read the excellent article What Happened to the Steh-Chass People?
OUR PROGRAM
Forest Days
At Ancient Futures we believe in all weather nature immersion for extended periods of time every day. By exploring woods, beaches and wetlands our forest preschool gives your child the space they need to develop an intimate connection with the rhythms of the natural world. Exploratory play in nature fulfills sensory, physical, emotional and social needs for early childhood. Our forest school is inspired by the Cedarsong Way.
Children's Art Studio
Here is an oasis for your child's identity and self-expression! Our Children's Art Studio is a magical outdoor garden space full of opportunities for exploring all kinds of media, as well as spaces for imaginative play, movement, storytelling, music and more! Our art studio is based on the Reggio Emilia atelier. We explore painting, drawing, clay, building, fiber, collage, sculpture and more! We also offer a daily tinkerlab exploration. We research our materials thoroughly offering high quality, non-toxic, tools for real artists.
Garden
Our garden is bordered by a forest green space in West Olympia and is around the corner from the Garfield Nature Trail. The garden feels much like a little bird refuge. Space for imaginative play as well as growing food, herbs, medicine, flowers and wildlife habitat. Your child will learn the art of cultivation, planning and nurturing.
Coast Salish Practices
We honor Coast Salish land, history and practices by learning from activities in the Since Time Immemorial curriculum; GRuB's Tend, Gather, Grow curriculum; the 13 Moons: First Foods & Resources Curriculum from the Swinomish Tribal Community; as well as teachings from the Squaxin Island Museum. All of these resources have been created by or in collaboration with Washington State tribal members. We teach respect for the gifts of this land and we work to honor and steward the plants and animals that live here.
Music & Storytelling
Students share music together, guided by children's musician, Teacher Chris, and his ukulele! We also make up stories together on the trail and share books written & illustrated by authors from many cultures during snack time. Students learn to listen, contribute and see themselves in beautiful, fun, and powerful stories and songs.
Community
Solstice and Equinox gatherings, stewardship events, art nights, student song & play performances, and family nature adventures are opportunities to connect our community. We have set a goal to participate in Arts Walk every Fall.
Parents enjoy taking home a monthly portfolio of their child's work, photos, and a story of a magical moment in their child's learning.
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With love, we share a monthly newsletter, Nature Notes, with tales of our adventures, an art gallery, books we read and other tidbits.
Mindfulness
During a morning circle we practice mindfulness techniques such as breath-work, affirmations, yoga and stories or games to aide in social & emotional awareness. children are empowered with strategies to handle their own bodies and feelings during tricky situations.
Small Class Sizes
We have a maximum of 10 students per day with 2 adults. This allows for safety in the outdoors; attentiveness to your child's interests and social-emotional development; and also creates an atmosphere of happy, relaxed, and creative teachers.
Stewardship
We protect what we love. In developing an intimate connection with nature your child will also desire to take care of the earth. We work with Olympia Parks to learn the best ways to help care for the natural spaces that we visit.
Nature Notes
We share our stories of the day through Nature Notes compiled at snack-time--what we learned, what we did, who we played with, what we enjoyed or wondered about. The benefits are:
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Deep Nature Connection
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Grows the qualities of mindfullness, sensory acuity, self-awareness, narrative literacy skills, and a habit of meaning making out of daily life.
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Helps children share about their day when they get home.
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Results in a phenology which we revisit in our seasonal curriculum.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Ancient Futures is inspired by the Cedarsong Way Nature School and the Reggio Emilia play-based and arts-based approach to early childhood learning. To guide social/ emotional development we use strategies from The Whole Brain Child . Our philosophy below is based directly on the Cedarsong Way forest school philosophy and adapted to our program. To learn more go to cedarsongway.org. We are also guided by techniques of Coyote Mentoring; to learn more go to http://coyotesguide.com/
Place-based Education
Through awareness of natural ecosystems, being caretakers, garden time, and making art children become rooted in the land and community; this supports their self-pride and identity.
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Child-led Flow Learning
Children’s interests are allowed to unfold naturally in response to the natural setting. This leads to deeper self-motivated learning.
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Inquiry-based Teaching Style
Teachers are not the center of attention. We use open-ended questions to engage children in their self-chosen explorations and deepen their learning.
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Documentation of Emergent Curriculum
Emergent curriculum arises from flow learning and inquiry. In response to the interests of the group, we bring optional tools, stories, songs, games, activities, food, etc. to deepen and expand the exploration. We document what the children are learning as the day unfolds.
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Exposure to Moderate Risk (climbing, balancing, running, sticks, water, hiding)
With adult guidance and support, children learn to self-assess their own safety, have body-awareness, problem-solve and challenge themselves. Gain motor skills and core strength.
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Authentic Play
Kids learn how to be relaxed self-directed learners, be creative, negotiate with friends and communicate their needs. Young kids learn best while in motion and when playing music, dramatizing or making art.
Nature Therapy
Children learn to use nature to self-sooth and restore balance and confidence.
Compassion Scaffolding: Respect for Self, Others, and the Living Earth
We support children’s natural tendency to relate imaginatively to animals, plants and natural features; this leads to the practice of compassion and care taking in all relationships. We use stories and songs to introduce and share reflections on mindfulness, kindness and friendship.
Positive Reinforcement
Teachers practice moment-by-moment noticing of positive social behavior like helpfulness, generosity, flexibility, perseverance, communication, and self-reliance. We use gentle coaching, whole-brain integration techniques, reminders and redirection when kids need help being safe, secure and kind. Children learn self-pride and personal boundaries.
Individual Empowerment and Group Bonding
Children pursue goals in collaboration and on their own. They learn to value their own contributions and ideas as well as those of their friends.
