The Topanga-based non-profit, 5Journeys, will hold an open house on August 28, 4 p.m., to introduce Better World Learning Pod for ages two-and-a-half-to five-year-olds. Classes begin September 1. Enrollment is ongoing until all 12 slots are filled.
Better World Learning Pod is Topanga’s first early childhood education option at the nine-acre Better World Gardens in Topanga’s Tuna Canyon reserve. Each Friday, children will experience a forest school curriculum in our farm and woodlands, where they will engage in real-life, inquiry-based explorations of nature, regenerative farming, and ecology.
Forest Fridays are led by attorney-turned-regenerative farmer, Haven McVarish. He explains that Better World Learning Pod will give more than a basic preschool education “by providing children a space to foster curiosity and create their own projects; we help instill our students with a lifelong love and appreciation for nature and our connection with all living things.”
Monday through Thursday, the Better World Learning Pod will be taught by renowned early education teacher and mother, Amanda June, an expert in the Reggio Emilia approach for more than a decade. She employs an emergent curriculum for children to learn their kinder-prep building blocks through team-based projects and multiple hands-on learning catalysts. As they explore these sources of inspiration, Amanda June and the children co-create group projects that go deep into the subject matter. Therefore, children’s learning is based on their interests and inspires children to explore an endless number of ways of learning. The Reggio Emilia approach to learning emphasizes the environment as the “third teacher.” Amanda June expertly weaves in math, science, writing, reading skills, and physical and social-emotional learning while the children pursue their interests.
Monday through Wednesday the pod will gather at a Topanga home by Froggy’s with two classrooms and six outdoor play/learn zones. Thursdays will be spent exploring our local community in project-based field trips.
To make the pod more accessible to families, 5Journeys, will offer co-op slots for parents who want to volunteer for discounted tuition. Enroll now to take advantage of a 15% annual discount on tuition. Enroll at BetterWorldPod.org.
NOTE: To best protect members of the pod and promote the public health, the Pod is pro-science and pro-vaccine. It requires specific vaccines for children and regular COVID tests, daily temperature tests, and masks for sniffling or coughing children.
For more information, contact Denise DeGarmo at denise@5Journeys.org; or Haven and Betsy at (305) 766-4389. Better World Learning Pod is run by 5Journeys, a non-profit headquartered in Topanga. Learn more at 5Journeys.org.
