Forest Friends
The Forest Friends program at the Bright Beginnings Center, is a nature based learning experience for young children that takes place primarily outdoors. With a home base on the BBC playground, the Forest Friends class splits their time between BBC's outdoor classroom space and the beautiful natural setting of the Hopedale Parklands. Our Forest Friends teaching team leads the class of 10-15 students through nature-based, child-led early childhood learning lessons. In addition to providing a popular new way of learning, it also provides a safer way of learning in the fresh outdoor air as we recover from a pandemic. Nature based learning is very popular in European countries but has also taken off in popularity in the United States with over 250 schools with nature based programming around the country. BBC is very proud to be one of the first public school districts in Massachusetts to introduce this model to our preschool program. The model's great success in private programs coupled with the beautiful natural resources we are so very fortunate to have here in Hopedale will no doubt lead to great success for the program.
Some of the educational focuses for nature based programs include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts including but not limited to, building with natural materials, sorting, comparing and contrasting by attributes, measuring, seasons and changes in the environment, animal habitats, living things, and weather. The natural environment provides the perfect environment for a young child’s wonder and curiosity to take hold. Our Forest Friends educators are prepared to foster that sense of inquisitiveness and fully explore their surroundings in a safe and educational manner. We see this unique learning opportunity as a chance for families to choose an alternative form of early learning for their children that provides a unique connection to nature and the environment. BBC is creating a true bridge between the Hopedale Public Schools and the amazing resource of the Hopedale Parklands that we hope will stay with our young students throughout their educational careers in Hopedale and throughout their lives.
Forest Friends is currently full for the 2023-2024 school year. Current half day students are able to enroll for full day class.
For more information about Forest Friends, please view the BBC Forest Friends Guide.
To ask questions or to register, please email BBC Principal Kristen Poisson at kpoisson@hopedaleschools.org.