Outdoor Learning & Nature Play
Who We Are
Based in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we believe childhood should be filled with opportunities to explore, discover, and play outdoors. We keep the fun in learning and our methods foster independence, resiliency, and healthy whole-child development.
What We Do
We create nature-based learning experiences where children’s curiosity leads the way. Through safe exploration of this curiosity, children become more confident, capable, and connected to each other and the natural world.
Learning Through Play in Nature
We believe children need the freedom, and the time, to play. Through open-ended, child-led play, children follow their curiosity, take appropriate risks, solve problems, move their bodies, use their imaginations, and build confidence along the way. We select the environment and provide thoughtful materials, then give children generous blocks of time to explore.
Child-Led Outdoor Play
Learning at Seaside grows from the interests, questions, and discoveries of the children. Rather than following a rigid lesson plan, we pay attention to what sparks their curiosity and build meaningful experiences around it. A bug in the forest, a puddle after a storm, or a collection of shells can lead naturally into science, math, literacy, art, movement, and more.
Emergent Curriculums
Children should have the opportunity to deeply know the world right outside their door. By learning about the plants, animals, seasons, weather, and landscapes of their own community, children begin to understand what makes their home unique. When they spend time exploring and learning about a place, they form a deeper connection to it and an interest in protecting it in the future.
Place-Based Studies