Senses are central to how kids experience the world, how they behave, and how they learn. While most kids crave sensory engagement, unfortunately they don't always get it. More and more, teachers and parents are noticing that young bodies are crying out for more of what their developing sensory systems need. Good news! Nature truly is the ideal, sensory environment -- calming, constantly changing, and stimulating to all of our senses, in perfect balance.
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Class Options
In our MOLE classes, we follow the Tinkergarten curriculum and way of learning. We play, explore, create and work together to learn -- and have fun!
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This Summer, our curriculum is designed to help each child strengthen and balance their senses in the most stimulating and soothing
classroom of all—the great outdoors. Our curriculum will help kids foster each of their senses, activate multiple senses at once and offer approaches to support each child’s unique sensory system.
Our Learning Map
PreSeason Trial Class - Nature Nectar​
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In our introductory lesson, we'll stimulate our senses and imaginations as we mix, mash, and stir natural ingredients together to create our own "nature nectar."
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There is no wrong way to make nature nectar when kids take the lead. At Tinkergarten, explorers play in their own way, and we play and learn from one another in a safe, supportive, and inspiring social group. Just the right environment for creativity blossom!
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Class Date:
March 20th at 10:00 am
Lesson 1 - Blend It!
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We'll give kids the chance to combine dirt and water to make our favorite messy play ingredient --MUD! And, we'll see what happens when we blend all kinds of things in.
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Messy play gives kids the chance to act freely and explore a wider range of possibilities. combining two materials to make something new (dirt + water to make mud) also gives kids practice in the creative act of blending (one of the 3 Bs of creativity).
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Class Dates:
April 10th at 10:00 am
Lesson 2 - Breaking and Making
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We'll embrace destructive play today! We'll pick and pluck various natural objects apart. Then, we gather up the loose parts and bring them together to create something new.
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A scientist/artist expert team identified a "3 Bs" framework for three thinking processes humans use when we are creative -- breaking, bending, and blending. What kids do physically forms a foundation for thinking processes they will use later on, so physically breaking objects now prepares kids to break concepts later. Plus, destruction is part of the creative process.
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Class Date:
April 17th at 10:00 am
Lesson 3 - Bear Hike
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We'll lean into pretending, activate our bodies, and use our imaginations as we go on a bear hike. with the help of "obstacle cards" and a few props, we'll think creatively and adjust to challenges as we hike to find a bear.
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Pretend play offers kids the perfect way to develop cognitive flexibility -- a key ingredient for creativity and problem solving. In imaginary scenarios, kids can explore unlimited solutions and practice responding to challenges in new, innovative ways.
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Class Dates:
April 24th at 10:00 a
Lesson 4 - Water Works​
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This week, we have a problem to solve: How can we move water from here to there? We'll think flexibly, explore all possibilities and test strategies as we solve the problem together.
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Creativity is the ability to both imagine original ideas or solutions to problems and actually do what needs to be done to make them happen. This lesson offers kids the chance to experiment and test out many solutions to a problem.
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Class Dates:
May 1st at 10:00 am
Lesson 5 - Catching Colors
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We'll discover an invitation to create a masterpiece, but we don't know what to make! We'll lean into the creative process of art making and share joy in freely exploring color together.
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When we are able to think and act freely, we become open to discover new possibilities and invent new things. This lesson also gives us an opportunity to support and celebrate the process of art-making more than just the final product.
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Class Date:
May 15th at 10:00 am
Lesson 6 - Earth Parade
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We'll use homemade drums to explore the different patterns and rhythms we can create, just like many creatures do to communicate. Then, we'll use our drums and colorful streamers to parade and express our gratitude for the earth and all we've shared together this season.
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Today, kids explore how sound and movement can express a variety of ideas and feelings. Not only is sound and music-making an inherently creative activity, but imagining the ways in which household and natural objects can be transformed into musical instruments is also an exercise in divergent thinking.
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Class Dates:
May 22nd at 10:00
