Before the advent of screens, children learned about the world simply by being in it. Sent outside to play, they used the great outdoors to experiment and explore, exercise and socialize.

These days things are different. According to an article in Child Mind Institute, on average, children in America spend only 4-7 minutes outdoors in unstructured play. In a related article from the BBC, this is opposed to 7 ½ hours indoors and on a screen. 

Results from this “nature-deficit disorder” are largely anecdotal at this time, but it appears this increase in screentime and the reduction in time spent outdoors correlates with an increase in obesity and mental health issues such as stress and anxiety, and irregular sleep schedules. There has also been a reported decrease in attention span, creativity, problem-solving skills and socialization. 

To combat these alarming trends, Wonderbloom Nature Preschool was formed to provide outdoor learning, education and care. It is the first licensed nature-based preschool in Utah. 

“Compared to a typical preschool that spends about 10% of their time outside, we spend anywhere from 60% to 90% of the day outdoors,” Sarah Stone, founder and executive director of Wonderbloom, said. “No matter the weather, we go outside. In the rain we wear slickers and boots, and in the snow, we wear coats and hats.”

Stone, who has her Ph.D. in childhood development and has worked in early childhood education her whole career, was astounded when learning about the benefits of outdoor learning and engagement with nature, so she founded Wonderbloom Nature Preschool in 2017. 

Forest Schools, as they are called in Europe, have been popular for nearly a half century, but the new (yet, old) concept of outdoor classroom learning migrated to the United States only 15 years ago, and Wonderbloom is currently the only licensed nature-based preschool in Utah.

Wonderbloom has been operating for three years out of Cottonwood Presbyterian Church on Vine Street as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit school, though Wonderbloom, itself, is nondenominational.  

“[Cottonwood Presbyterian] is a fabulous partner and hosting the preschool aligns nicely with their mission of caring for children and the environment,” Stone said. “The Soul Garden (community garden space adjacent to the church) is theirs, but we have our own plot to grow vegetables and access to the full property.”

“It’s where we keep our four chickens,” Lianna Lopez, co-founder and director of Wonderbloom, said. “The kids love to visit the chickens and collect eggs. Sometimes we cook up the eggs they’ve gathered for our snack.”  

“We also harvest from our garden plot,” Stone added. “Right now, we’ve been digging potatoes and picking pumpkins which we’ve also incorporated into their snacks. It shows the children where their food originates and if they are involved in the process, they tend to try more things.”

Over the last three years, staff and volunteers have been building out the outdoor classroom spaces to acquire their national Nature Explore Certification, and in September they hosted a grand opening for the renovated outdoor classroom.

The ribbon cutting was attended by Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock, Utah Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion and Paul Garbett of Garbett Homes who matched donations to provide scholarships to children from disadvantaged families. 

So, what exactly is an outdoor classroom?

It is an outdoor space set up like an indoor classroom. At Wonderbloom there is an art area for fine motor skills and creative projects, an Imagineering space with large loose toys like logs and bricks for building, a Tinker Table with an emphasis on STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and math), a Movement Meadow (like a traditional playground with a woodsy feel), the Messy Cafe hosts a sandbox with tables and sinks for cooperative play, and they have a garden to allow children to learn about growing, harvesting and environmental stewardship.

Residents from the wider community have access to the outdoor classroom space after school hours, and many community members and parents have volunteered their time and resources to provide murals, plantings and supplies. 

Wonderbloom offers a full and half day options and holds class from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an extended care option until 4:30 p.m. They follow the Granite School District calendar and also have a week-by-week summer option for working parents. 

Classes of children, aged 3 to 5, attend in a class of about 12 to 16 with two teachers, at a ratio of one to eight. The 2-year-old class has a lower ratio to accommodate potty-training and other unique needs.

Registration starts in January and classes often fill long before school starts, so parents should think about preschool up to a year in advance. For more information, visit www.wonderbloom.org. λ