TODDLERS 2.5, PRESCHOOLERS and KINDERGARTENERS
without Caregiver

Adventures in the Forest is a bilingual, nature-immersive program inspired by Germany’s Forest Kindergarten model, designed to nurture whole-child development through play, freedom, and connection with nature—laying the neurological foundation for lifelong learning, including math and reading.

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🌳 Why the Forest Kindergarten approach?​​

Adventures in the Forest is a nature-based early childhood program for toddlers (2.5 years), preschoolers, and kindergarteners—without caregivers—rooted in the original Waldkindergarten (Forest Kindergarten) approach pioneered by Friedrich Frobel over 180 years ago. Held entirely outdoors in Miami’s natural spaces, this program invites children to explore, play, and learn in all weather conditions, honoring their biological need for movement, curiosity, and risk-taking.

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This vision is deeply inspired by Erin Kenny, founder of The Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten, the first Forest Kindergarten program in the United States. After visiting multiple nature-based programs in Germany, Kenny developed a uniquely gentle and child-led approach that emphasized emotional safety, deep nature connection, and emergent learning. Her work laid the foundation for a movement that recognizes play and nature as essential to healthy brain development.

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Our founder, drawing from her professional background mentoring multinational leaders across Latin America, found in Erin Kenny a Mentor who shared the same understanding of an impactful, yet simple but almost forgotten childhood as the key to raise a resilient generation. She found in the Cedarsong model and the German Forest Kindergarten philosophy a powerful link: the ability to raise emotionally balanced, socially attuned children who grow into confident, resilient young adults and future leaders. Adventures in the Forest is the embodiment of that vision.

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There are no pre-set lessons or agendas. Instead, children co-create their curriculum through daily discoveries, guided by mentors who observe, document, and ask open-ended questions to deepen learning and emotional connection.

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🧠 The Science Behind Play, Nature, and Risk
During the early years, children’s brains are rapidly forming neural connections that shape how they think, feel, and learn for life. Unstructured play in nature—especially when it includes healthy risk-taking like climbing, balancing, and exploring—stimulates the development of:
•     Executive function: the mental skills needed for focus, memory, and self-control
•     Spatial reasoning: essential for math, engineering, and problem-solving
•     Language and literacy: through storytelling, peer interaction, and sensory-rich environments
•     Emotional regulation: nature’s rhythms help children manage stress and build resilience

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Research shows that early immersion in nature and unstructured play supports the development of executive function, emotional regulation, and physical coordination. These foundational skills are directly linked to academic success in reading, math, and problem-solving later in life.​ 

For adults wondering how climbing trees and playing with sticks leads to literacy: risky play builds the brain’s architecture. It strengthens neural pathways for focus, resilience, and spatial reasoning—critical for decoding symbols, solving equations, and managing emotions in school settings.

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🌟 Core Pillars of Our Approach

• Freedom to Explore: Children lead their own learning journeys, building confidence, independence, and self-awareness.

• Risk-Aware Play: We embrace healthy risk-taking—balancing safety with challenge—to foster courage, decision-making, and body awareness.

• Emotional Intelligence: Nature’s rhythms help children regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and develop empathy.

• Community Building: Group play with nature-sourced materials cultivates teamwork, conflict resolution, and peer support.

• Eco-Consciousness: Children learn to respect all living beings and minimize their impact on the environment.

• Mentor-Led Observation & Reflection: Our educators guide from behind the scenes, allowing children to own their space and discoveries and ask questions to deepen understanding

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​Let them climb. Let them run. Let them be children.
Adventures in the Forest is more than a program—it’s a commitment to honoring childhood as nature intended. When we trust children to explore freely, we give them the tools to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.