Nature Connection Classes for Children

Hi! Thank you for your interest in my nature classes for children. 

 

My name is Robin Sorrentino, and I am an educator with a

lifelong passion for nature. I hold a master’s degree in early

childhood and elementary education with training and 

experience in progressive alternative education methods. 

Over the years, I have worked as a classroom teacher in a

project based school (where I created a nature immersion

program), a classroom teacher in a Reggio-Emilia preschool,

a Tinkergarten nature play teacher, and I taught a forest 

preschool pod during the pandemic. I am a self-taught naturalist

with a lifetime of experience and learning about the

natural world through books, exploration, travel, and alongside

my own two children, from whom I still learn.

 

I currently teach nature connection classes and "my grown-up and me" nature play classes for children at my home in Eatontown.  I am lucky to have a wooded backyard that is adjacent to a large tract of undeveloped forest.  There is so much nature to explore and experience even in this very developed part of New Jersey.  We have lots of wildlife, a stream and pond, and trees to climb. 

 

My goal in creating this program is to get children comfortable with being in nature and then allow their interests and our explorations to guide their learning.  The curriculum is seasonal and based on what is happening in the natural world around us, but is also spontaneous and child-led as we come across interesting aspects of nature on our walks.  We hike and spend time exploring and observing.  We draw pictures and write about our experiences in nature journals.  We do nature inspired art projects and science projects, and we learn more about nature and animals through different games that we play.  Through all these varied experiences, children will make connections to the natural world which will lead to a lifelong love and caring of the world around them.

 

It is a joy being outside with children, immersed in nature and sharing my experience and knowledge.  I hope your child can join us!