Why do we value community?
Supportive communities are vital to the human experience. We all need connections with other people, since we are social creatures by nature. We are not meant to do this parenting thing in isolation. We want to build the village we have all been searching for.
Relationships are at the center of all teaching and learning. Humans are social learners. Within the context of a safe attachment with our primary caregivers, we learn about what to expect from the world. We keep on learning in social relationships throughout our lives. When we feel connected and seen, we can navigate challenges, freely explore, and meet our goals.
Children need adult nature mentors who share a passion for the natural world, modeling stewardship and making space for time together outside. In these important relationships - and especially in groups with other families who share these values - young children develop a sense of belonging within a community of care. They also learn through place-based experiences, knowing a specific natural setting deeply by witnessing it through the seasons and forming an emotional bond to its features. We carry these memories within us for a lifetime.
