Birdsong Outdoor School

Exciting News for the 2024-25 School Year!! 

Birdsong Outdoor School is merging with Wildflower Play-School (formerly Bonnie's House Play-School) to form Flowersong Outdoor School for the 2024-25 school year starting mid-August. The program will include preschool, TK and Kindergarten for ages 3-6, and the location will rotate through local nature preserves. There will be no longer be a home/backyard component of the program. Enrollment opened in January, and a tour for interested parents with their child is required prior to enrollment. Please visit www.flowersongschool.com for more details.

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Philosophy

Birdsong’s focus is on development of the whole child, with emphasis on social and emotional development, kindergarten readiness skills, and connecting with nature. Birdsong’s pedagogy is rooted in scientifically proven developmentally appropriate practice. Children learn best through hands-on free play, with a predictable daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythm. Teacher Elizabeth provides respectful guidance in a warm and nurturing environment, building a relationship with each child. At Birdsong we celebrate the diversity of Silicon Valley and welcome all, and enjoy learning about and experiencing different cultures.

Studies show that children are spending less and less time outdoors, and less time playing freely. Studies also show that being outdoors in a natural setting has a positive influence on the development of the whole child, and that playing freely is critical to healthy development. Playing outdoors in a natural setting particularly influences well-being, creativity, and self-regulation, which are all necessary building blocks of learning. It also reduces stress, anxiety, and obesity, improves motor skills, increases risk assessment skills, and fosters caring for the Earth.  At Birdsong Elizabeth has embraced this philosophy, and operates school outside in her nature-inspired backyard in all weather. Birdsong’s weekly field trips are to nature preserves. Come play outside with us!

Teacher Elizabeth has observed and experienced that the small group setting is beneficial particularly with young children because the child and teacher are able to build a connection, giving the child the feeling of safety and trust that allows them to explore freely, focus fully, and learn. The teacher can carefully observe and nurture each child as a unique individual. The small group setting also builds close relationships among the children, where they can practice social skills, and play cooperatively as a group. Birdsong has one teacher, and is licensed for a maximum of 6 preschool aged children.

“Play is the highest form of research.”
– Albert Einstein

Field Trips

Almost once per week we do a field trip to a local nature preserve or park, where the children explore, play, do circle time, have a picnic lunch, and do art together in nature. We generally visit the same location several weeks in a row so the children develop a connection with the place. Our field trip days follow the same familiar rhythm as our other days, as described above. Parents or caregivers drop off and pick up at that location, which is privately shared with families in advance. Examples of field trip destinations are Shoup Park and Redwood Grove in Los Altos, McClellan Ranch in Cupertino, Rancho San Antonio, Sunnyvale Baylands, SF Bay National Wildlife Sanctuary in Alviso, and Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara.

“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”  
– Margaret McMillan, Pioneering Early Childhood Educator