Muddy River Nature School operates with the Cedarsong Way Foundational Principles.
 

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Nature Immersion:
This is defined as unstructured free time in nature, resulting in an intimate, deep and personal connection to the natural world. This is regardless of weather or season.
 

Flow Learning:
Also referred to as child-driven or interest-led and emerges from children's spontaneous discoveries and nature's ever changing presentation. 

Inquiry-based Teaching Style:

Through children's explorations and our encouragement to express their ideas, they learn to trust their own observations and discover there is more than one answer to any question.

Documentation of the Emergent Curriculum:
Emergent curriculum refers to the organically developed themes, activities, and conclusions children make during their unstructured free time which is then later captured to document the learning.

Place-based Education in an Urban setting:

Children develop feelings of love and nurturing towards the land when they return to the same place frequently. We strive to build a sense of community and belonging with the people, places, flora and fauna around them. 

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Stewardship:

Bringing children's awareness to their impact on each other and the earth leads to more consideration and respect. 

 

Small class size:
We operate well below the North Dakota childcare ratio regulations. This allows us to honor the children and be fully present with each child in our day. 

 

Exposure to risk:

For the healthy development of children, they need and actively seek to engage in some moderately risky activities such as climbing, balancing, and running on uneven ground.