Frequently Asked Questions

Child's Element is unique in that it offers preschoolers and elementary aged children an opportunity for imaginative play, the development of mindfulness and awareness, and outdoor exploration, which naturally enhances creativity, hand-eye coordination, balance, physical strength and mental clarity. Here are some answers to some questions you might have about our Forest School:

What types of training are staff required to have?

At Child's Element, it is important to us that your children’s teachers have exceptional training in supervising children outdoors, and supporting their development. Not only are our staff members required to have CPR/First Aid for adults, children, and babies, food handlers permits, there is also a thorough training completed on safety and risk taking, positive interactions with children, mindfulness, problem solving, supported imaginative play, and child-led learning.

Do parents stay and participate?

For our Preschool aged children, who have never attended a program away from home, parents are encouraged to stay for 30 minutes of a child’s first day, unless the child seems to feel comfortable staying on their own. Parents are not required to stay and participate. Parents have the opportunity to schedule visits and stay for the duration if interested.

For our Grown Up and Me class for ages 1-6, parents (or another caregiver such as a nanny or another family member) are required to stay and participate with their child.

Is there lunch/snack served?

We require children to bring a large snack or sack lunch in their backpacks daily for lunchtime for all of our programs.

What am I required to have in my child’s backpack each day?

Every child is required to carry a backpack with a sack lunch, water bottle (warm water in winter), and a full change of clothing.

Are all the classes held at public parks?

Not always. Each group will have their own location for drop-off, and these are located along the Wasatch Front, either on trails, nature areas, or parks.

Please ask about your child's group and where their outdoor classroom is located.

What about the weather? What do you do when it’s snowy or rainy?

We believe in the motto: There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices. Snowy and rainy days can be some of the most exhilarating and fun days! There are, of course, days where we hold our preschool at a public park with a covered area, when the weather and/or temperature are extreme. If weather becomes extreme or dangerous, class will be cancelled, or we may occasionally use a public library for class time.

Do you have curriculum?

Mindful Forest School is primarily child-led that loosely follows State guidelines and allows each child to develop their own individuality and self, acquire valuable life skills, and to establish a skill set that supports kindergarten readiness. Teachers will lead children in nature crafts, group games, and nature lessons, however, these activities are always with the child's interests in mind. Depending on the season, we have tools that support mud/dirt play (mud kitchen), and snow activities (snow shape makers, snowmen, sledding, etc)

Our Grown Up and Me classes follow a loose curriculum that was developed by the Owner/Director. This curriculum follows: story books, parent/child craft, nature walks, and free play.

What subjects are taught at Mindful Forest School?

The program will be predominantly child-led play, but also includes some mildly structured activities: Counting, numbers, shapes, story books, songs and nursery rhymes, local plants and animals, seasons and the cycles of nature, group games, expression through arts and crafts, and more!

Gross Motor Skills: Climbing, hiking, jumping, running (Please let us know if your child shows interest of subjects at home that may be implemented into lessons at school. We love the connection between home and school!)

Fine Motor Skills: picking up small object and observing them, gluing, coloring, painting, zipping and clipping their backpack and lunch bag, opening and closing their water bottle, turning pages of books, and more.

Will this prepare my child for kindergarten?

A Forest Preschool gives a child an opportunity to develop many skills in preparation for Kindergarten. Some of these skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, divergent thinking, love of learning, creativity, imagination, willingness to take appropriate risk, peer communication, emotional resilience, high perseverance, low frustration levels, teamwork, and cooperation. We believe that if children are given what they need at ages 2, 3 and 4, they will naturally be prepared for what is to come at 5, 6, and 7.

How does this compare to other preschools?

Not only do we mildly integrate lessons on numbers, letters, nursery rhymes, we also share lessons on natural concepts about the earth, human interactions, basic life skills. We focus primarily on social and emotional development, supporting children in communication, developing deeply connected friendships, emotional co-regulation, bravery, and building self-confidence. These life skills build a foundation of cognitive skills, and social and emotional intelligence.

Why should I choose your program over other nature schools or preschools?

We are completely outdoors and focus on individual child development. We meet every child exactly as they are. We believe every child is great exactly as they are! We have a specialized training created by our Director for staff to lead and guide your child in a kind, caring, confidence building, mindfully supportive environment that will help your child flourish in social interactions, which studies have shown will further their success in academics.

What does unstructured imaginative play mean?

Children play freely and work together without overbearing adult involvement. This is where the magic truly happens in exploration of imagination. It’s amazing to watch children play together as they create their own worlds of wonder, decide and delegate roles, problem solve, create their own rules, and choose for themselves.

Does Mindful Forest School follow a school district calendar?

Mostly! For your convenience, our Forest Preschool follows the Salt Lake City and Davis County school district calendar for holidays, seasonal breaks, and school closures. There may be minor difference. In July every year, the school year calendar is uploaded to Brightwheel for parents to access. Please reach out with any questions about the school year calendar.

What is the teacher to child ratio?

Our teacher to child ratio is 1:5, never exceeding 1:6 which allows us to offer more personalized attention to each child’s development, without hovering supervision.

Does my child need to be Potty Trained?

Yes, please! We are unable to change diapers during the colder months when the ground is wet and cold.

Where will my child use the bathroom?

At Mindful Forest School, we teach proper outdoor toileting techniques. We have an area specific for elimination in a privately designated area. We have a toileting system of carrying out solid waste, the use of wipes, and hand sanitizer is always used. We teach the children that it isn’t always allowed to eliminate outdoors, but at our Forest School, it is okay.

If issues arise between two or more children, how are these situations handled? What if another child becomes aggressive, how will that be handled?

Preschool aged children are in the process of learning social and emotional skills. When children have an issue that arises and they cannot resolve it on their own, teachers will lovingly step in to support the children come up with their own resolutions. If a child becomes aggressive, a teacher will calmly and gently remove the child from the situation and will process their feelings, encourage their own ideas on how to resolve and repair, and will offer tips on how to handle a situation differently in the case it comes up again.

TEACHERS ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS WITH WORDS.

This is a skill that takes practice, practice, practice, reminders from grownups, and support in their emotional regulation. As teachers are always aware of the children, they will offer gentle reminders such as, “use your words,” “tell him/her how you are feeling,” or they will offer input on their observations, such as, “you seem to be feeling frustrated, I can help” “your face is telling me that you are feeling sad, may I sit with you?”

Please contact us with any other questions you may have. Thank you!