Kindergarten @ Root & Rise

A Gentle, Grounded Start to Learning

Our kindergarten program honors the magic of childhood, the wisdom of the land, and the joy of community. Root & Rise Kinder blends Reggio Emilia inspiration with the rhythms of farm and forest life—inviting children to learn through inquiry, collaboration, and hands‑on exploration. Through tending the garden, caring for animals, exploring the land, and sharing homemade farm‑fresh food, children grow strong in body, imagination, and curiosity.

Reggio Emilia–Inspired Learning

In our kinder class, children are seen as capable thinkers with ideas worth pursuing. Learning unfolds through long‑term projects, small‑group collaboration, and the “hundred languages” of expression—art, movement, storytelling, building, music, and scientific investigation. Educators observe closely, document learning, and extend children’s interests into meaningful academic and creative pathways.

The environment acts as a “third teacher,” offering open‑ended materials, natural spaces, and provocations that spark inquiry across all learning domains.

Learning Domains

Our Reggio‑inspired approach integrates foundational academics with nature‑rooted, experiential learning. Throughout the year, children engage in:

• The Arts — drawing, painting, clay, music, movement, and dramatic play as tools for expression and understanding

• English Language Arts — storytelling, emergent writing, rich vocabulary, early literacy, and project‑based reading experiences

• Mathematics — counting, measuring, patterning, comparing, and problem‑solving through real‑world contexts like cooking, building, and gardening

• Science — inquiry, observation, experimentation, and nature study rooted in the farm, garden, and surrounding ecosystems

• Social Science — community roles, cultural awareness, local history, and stewardship of shared spaces

• Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) — emotional awareness, communication, collaboration, conflict resolution, and empathy

• Health & Physical Education — movement, nutrition, body awareness, outdoor play, and caring for one’s physical well‑being

These domains are not taught in isolation—they weave naturally into projects, play, and daily life on the farm.

Program Focus

• Connection to Environment & Stewardship — children learn to care for the land, animals, and each other

• Holistic Development — social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth supported through free play, guided discovery, and collaborative projects

• Daily Immersion in Nature — time in the garden, orchard, farm, oak groves, and wild spaces

• Seasonal Farm Festivals — celebrations that bring families and community together

• Sustainability & Habitat Restoration — hands‑on projects that nurture responsibility and environmental awareness

Each Friday our families drop off their students at Blue Heron Park for a weekly Forest Friday program. Children and parent volunteers get the chance to explore nature, interact and observe with a diverse set of native plants and wildlife.

This means:

•     A full day each week in the wild, beloved space where our community has grown

•     Continued connection to the wetlands, springs, and trails that shaped our identity

•     The best of both worlds: the wildness of the park and the room to grow at Tierra Ohana Farm

•     A weekly return to the land that first held our school—honoring the roots of our shared story

•     Opportunities for deeper ecological learning through seasonal changes, wildlife encounters, and hands‑on stewardship

•     A bridge between our past and future: maintaining our connection to Blue Heron Park while expanding into a thriving farm‑based campus

•     A chance for families to be part of the magic: each parent or family member is asked to volunteer twice per school year, spending a full Friday learning, exploring, and adventuring alongside their child

•     Meaningful time in nature for adults too—research shows that being outdoors reduces stress, boosts mood, and strengthens connection, making these volunteer days nourishing for the whole family