Wed, April 15 @ 6:19 am Nature Preschool at River Bend Nature Center is a year-round program designed for children ages 3-5 to explore and engage with the natural world through dynamic, free-play experiences. Guided by their innate curiosity, children will discover diverse ecosystems, including the bottomland forest, pond, wildside, and hillside. With a learner-directed approach, children have the freedom to choose their daily activities and locations, fostering independence, intrinsic motivation, and a deep connection to nature. Through hands-on exploration, they develop a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the environment. Nature Preschool is offered year-round every Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays), with flexible enrollment options: Tuesday & Thursday: Member $180 | Non-Member $190 Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: Member $240 | Non-Member $250 Monday through Friday: Member $360 | Non-Member $370 **Please note: All rates are monthly. Registration is on a month-to-month basis. Sessions run from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. You can choose which month you’d like your child to attend. A $100 deposit is required to secure a spot, which is applied to the first month’s tuition. Do you want free admission to RBNC, discounts on birthdays, camps, weekly programs, special events, and in our Nature Gift Shop? Become a member of River Bend today by clicking this link. Why Choose Nature Preschool? Nature preschool offers numerous benefits for young children, helping them develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Here’s why it’s so valuable: 1. Encourages a Love for Nature & Environmental Stewardship Spending time outdoors fosters a deep connection with the natural world. Children develop a sense of responsibility and care for the environment through hands-on experiences. 2. Supports Physical Development Climbing, running, balancing, and exploring different terrains enhance gross motor skills. Fine motor skills improve through activities like digging, collecting natural objects, and using tools. 3. Enhances Creativity & Imagination Open-ended outdoor play sparks creativity and problem-solving. Natural environments encourage storytelling, role-playing, and innovation in play. 4. Boosts Cognitive & Academic Skills Engaging with nature helps children learn early STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math). Exploring ecosystems builds observation, classification, and critical thinking skills. Nature play promotes curiosity and inquiry-based learning. 5. Improves Social & Emotional Development Unstructured play fosters teamwork, communication, and cooperation. Children learn patience, empathy, and conflict resolution through peer interactions. Outdoor settings reduce stress, increase focus, and improve emotional regulation. 6. Encourages Independence & Confidence Child-led exploration gives children autonomy in decision-making. Overcoming natural challenges, like climbing a log or c...
