Rooted Readiness: Growing Into the Early Grades
This early learning class at the Batiquitos Lagoon for Wildlings ages 5-7 gently guides young students through the foundational skills needed for Kindergarten and 1st Grade - all while immersed in the rhythms of the natural world.
Grounded in California State Standards, children engage in playful exploration, games, and inquiry-driven investigations that nurture academic readiness. As they learn beneath the trees, students build confidence, strengthen emerging skills, and prepare for the next stage of their educational journey with curiosity and joy.
Families may also choose to extend the experience with an additional six-week classic or Spanish immersion session, or one-week thematic specialty classes, offering even more time for language development, connection, and deep summer learning.
Please Note:
We are always open to adding more sessions. Even if the class is full please add yourself to the waitlist as we may add more classes to the session depending on interest!
Wildling Classes are for students ages 5-7
For younger students see our Seedling Classes!
Registration for this schedule starts on 02/02/2026 and ends on 07/02/2026
Participants must be 5 years to 7 years old when the program starts.
Wildlings Daily Rhythm 8:00–8:30 | Arrival & Community Connection 8:30–9:30 | Learning Invitations & Project Work 9:30–10:00 | Morning Meeting & Integrated Learning 10:00–11:15 | Walk-About & Field Exploration 11:15–11:45| Lunch, Reflection & Closing Activities 11:45–12:00 | Pick-Up & Closing Circle
Students arrive and transition into the day through unhurried routines, greeting peers and educators and engaging in light exploratory play as the group gathers.
Students engage in thoughtfully prepared learning invitations that support creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. Experiences may include construction, art and dramatic play, early literacy exploration, nature-based projects, and primitive or survival-inspired skills. Educators observe, scaffold, and extend learning based on student interests.
We gather as a learning community for a snack, shared reading and/or shared writing, daily news, and collaborative discussion. Whole-group exploration may include math, science, local history, or other interdisciplinary topics. A bathroom break supports independence and self-care.
Students participate in walk-abouts to nearby locations, engaging in inquiry-based exploration, observation, and hands-on learning. These experiences strengthen connection to place and extend classroom learning into the natural world.
Students share a brief lunch followed by reflective conversation, journaling or drawing, shared reading or writing, and a second bathroom break.
The day concludes with a calm closing circle and reunification with caregivers.
Please contact The Native School if you have any questions.