Our Philosophy

About The Nature School

We are inspired by Norwegian forest schools and the principles of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI), grounded in the belief that a child’s natural curiosity and love of learning are deepened through meaningful connection with the natural world.

Children learn, work, and play in multi-age communities, spending their days immersed in nature. This environment nurtures exploration, independence, collaboration, and creativity. As children garden, plant seeds, care for animals, and observe plants and wildlife, they learn from one another, build community, and develop a lasting sense of responsibility for the world around them.

We intentionally balance freedom with responsibility, offering children opportunities to recognize the needs of others, build confidence, and cultivate lifelong capacities for persistence, critical thinking, and independence.

We believe that Montessori forest education provides a powerful foundation for cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development. The human brain develops most rapidly from infancy through age five, as children construct the essential frameworks for learning, movement, and emotional well-being.

Research continues to affirm the benefits of both Montessori education and regular experiences in nature. A study led by Angeline Lillard at the University of Virginia found that children in Montessori programs demonstrated strong academic achievement, social understanding, intrinsic motivation, and positive engagement with learning. Similarly, research by Ming Kuo at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign highlights how time spent in natural environments supports cognitive development, attention, and overall wellbeing.

Together, Montessori education and immersive experiences in nature offer a deeply supportive environment for healthy development of the whole child.