Cultivating social, emotional, &
ecological intelligence
Educational Pedagogy
Connolly Ranch Education Center’s unique discovery-based pedagogy is centered around cultivating social, emotional and ecological intelligence as children of all ages explore and interact with our animals, garden and wild spaces. Our natural and ever-changing educational environment provides spontaneous opportunities to explore and learn from “what just happened.” We lead with inquiry to encourage children to become dynamic learners, mindful leaders, and divergent thinkers.
Hourglass Model of Learning & Relationships ©
How we grow as individuals, families, communities, and beyond comes down to relationships. Connolly Ranch provides learning experiences that help children build healthy relationships with themselves, other people, and the natural world.
General knowledge/Distant relationships (IN nature)
Children share prior knowledge and awareness around a particular topic
Information gathering/Intimate relationships (WITH nature)
Guide children to recognize more intimate, personalized experiences, feelings or insights in order to deepen their understanding
Connective understanding/Integrated relationships (FOR nature)
Children expand out to the greater world to make connections with other experiences or knowledge.
Dynamic Learners
In the Edible Garden, we learn how to be present in nature by engaging our 5 senses. Through hands-on gardening, children not only learn about where their food comes from, they actually play an essential role in the seed to table process. Our Farm - to -Table programs allow children to harvest directly from the garden and learn the ins and outs of cooking a fresh meal.
Mindful Leaders
Our farm animals provide a unique opportunity for children to develop empathy, respect and compassion for all living things. Our interactive animal curriculum fosters an understanding of human impact on animal wellbeing as children learn how to take care of our goats, pigs, chickens, sheep, donkeys and horses. Through these personal interactions, kids develop an understanding of animals' inherent nature as well as their individual personalities.
Divergent Thinkers
Our Wild Spaces lend to the freedom of exploration - a space where children can dive into their imaginations and have meaningful connections with nature. This is where divergent thinking comes alive as kids are presented with endless opportunities to problem solve and work together. Whether they are designing a tree fort, attempting to get a heavy log from one end to the other or playing a group game, children are taking risks, communicating with one another and building lasting self - confidence.