Little Finch Forest School

Our Teachers

Everyone at Little Finch is CPR certified and background checked.

Teacher Amanda:

My name is Amanda Galvez and I am so excited to be joining this nurturing, nature-based community. I have studied a wide range of disciplines due to my natural curiosity, and passion of interests, leading me to receive my B.A. in Liberal Studies and a minor in Sustainability from California State University- Northridge. I have experience coaching youth club soccer with children ages 5-10, where I provided knowledge from my own experience as a college athlete, as well offered encouragement, creativity, enthusiasm, and teamwork. I have also led “Animal Shows” and “Veggie Talks” for Underwood Family Farms’ school tour program, capitalizing on and sharing the importance of environmental, ecological, and agricultural education for all grade levels. I am currently pursuing my M.A. in Library & Information Science from San Jose State University’s online program. I believe being a part of nature offers several rewards: it enhances the senses, fosters creativity, molds confidence of all kinds, and activates general hands-on learning. In my free time, I am a flower farmer and designer at Rose Lane Farms, read lots of books, attend my local farmer’s markets, and spend time with loved ones.

Teacher Sherri

Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, I have long been fascinated with the flora and fauna of our local biomes. As a child, I was drawn like a magnet to the outdoors; I delighted in finding tadpoles in streams, examining bizarre insects, and digging holes in the backyard. I know firsthand that early, quality experiences with nature can have a life-long impact. Before embracing the forest school approach, I spent three years teaching preschoolers and kindergarteners in a Montessori school. After obtaining an early childhood (ages 3-6) Montessori teaching certification, I went on to earn a Master of Education degree from Loyola University Maryland. I’m excited to now facilitate learning beyond the limits of classroom walls.

Teacher Daniel

I have a substantial amount of experience in teaching younger children through music, arts, gymnastics, and parkour. I have a passion and propensity for teaching and working with youth. My love for movement, music, and nature has always brought me to a place where I am able to share and teach others. I have helped to organize and instruct many children’s gymnastic, parkour, and arts and craft classes for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department alongside instructors there. I worked on organizing parkour and gymnastic classes to teach for a local community organization in East LA called Black and Red. I have also had experience teaching youth at the Audubon Center and Debs! I’ve done much volunteer work with the Audubon center that included learning about and cultivating the plant life and studying other wildlife. We taught them them various things like how to plant seeds and transplant as well as teach them about the various birds and other wildlife. I also love music and have taught a number of children and adults how to play guitar and other instruments.

Cristina, Director and Teacher

I have dedicated my career to teaching children. I studied Child and Adolescent Development and taught in Montessori and Reggio inspired private schools around San Francisco for many years. I then earned an M.A. in Elementary Education from San Francisco State University.

My experiences in university opened my eyes to all the possibilities of what education can and should be. I am an idealist and seek to find the best educational experience offered to young children. Without a doubt the pedagogy of Scandinavia known as friluftsliv, which translates to “free open-air life” is the ideal educational experience for all young children.

When I returned to LA to be close to my family I found a job teaching at a private school but felt confined by the school’s set curriculum, necessary and poor management. I chose to follow my passion teaching using the forest kindergarten approach. Within 6 months of opening the program at Earnest E Debs I had a group of 6 children, some of who are still enrolled! (Sep 2020).

A forest school is a sanctuary unconfined by walls. Forest schools offers diverse structures, smells, textures, creatures of all shapes and sizes, and abundant plant and animal life. Nature offers a myriad of opportunities for risk-taking, to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning. I am a strong advocate for allowing children their inherent right to learn from direct experience in the outdoors.

I have been directing and teaching Little Finch Forest School since July 2018. Over the years teaching in the natural setting, nature not only shaped who I am am now but has confirmed that the natural setting offers every child at any developmental stage learning opportunities that only mother nature can offer herself. Natural science education is made by holding a frog, observing how they move, where they hide when the creek dries out and how they manage to escape. Pre-literacy is learned when the mixed age group describes their play because we do not offer toys. Children must use their imagination and communicate to create their play and make meaning. Children build on their gross motor skills when they hike, climb and explore nature. But most importantly the children build a deep connection to a natural space that will last a life-time!

I love to observe and document the children’s learning, both because it gives me joy to see the children thriving and accomplishing the best kind of learning while having fun! And also to share with parents and anyone who would listen how being in nature is beneficial and absolutely necessary to help children develop a connection to nature and become aware of how important nature is in our lives.

Testimonials

Anthony has been attending Little Finch forest school in Debs Park for over a year. We chose an outdoor school instead of a traditional preschool setting because we wanted Anthony to have an appreciation and respect for the environment, to have a level of freedom to explore and play that he couldn’t get inside a building, and to use his imagination, which is so expansive at this age, in ways that doesn’t require the use of toys.

When he first started, we weren’t sure how he’d like it, but when we asked how often he’d like to go, he responded enthusiastically, “11 days a week!” At forest school, he’s socializing with other kids, making lifelong friends, building stamina and balance, immersing in nature, and much more.

The local vegetation leads to all sorts of inquiry. The kids typically have one hike a day, so they have the opportunity to explore various areas of Debs Park. Anthony has become quite savvy in his understanding of how to move through the landscape with an awareness for the various trees, plants, animals and insects. The landscape serves as a place of learning and imagining, especially as it changes over the course of the seasons.

The forest becomes a gathering place to talk about what he has learned and connect in very real ways. One of his teachers, Chris, told us that he gave his peers a mini-lecture one day where he spoke about Greta Thunberg, and how they (the kids) are the ones who have to be the ones to make change. Chris commented that if the teachers had said the same thing to the kids, it would not have been as impactful as hearing it from their peer. Anthony isn’t a bashful child, but the physical environment, the strong bonds between the children, and the support of the teachers have really helped enhance and grow his natural confidence.

The teachers operate the school with a child-led approach. They provide opportunities for the kids to challenge themselves and try out new things, such as weaving, as they learned about indigenous practices, or crafts utilizing natural items found in the park. Anthony has had ample opportunities to grow his motor skills through these endeavors, the hikes and other physically challenging activities like walking a slack line or climbing trees. Anthony has found great expression in his body. Even just walking over the uneven earth in their base camp area provides an opportunity for very nutritious movement.

Forest school has been a place for his curiosity to flourish. The teachers are supportive of all aspects of him: in movement, in expression, emotionally, and his interests. When Anthony’s interest in astronomy was ignited by the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, he brought a lot of facts and stories to school. The teachers took interest in what he was talking about, and the other children as well.

It’s been a dream come true to have Anthony feel so at home in nature and for it to be a source of inspiration for him. It’s been an important part of his life, and we’ve been very pleased with the experience.

-Lisa

I can’t sat enough about Little Finch Forest School! My daughter’s energy, enthusiasm and curiosity were nurtured here by climbing trees, watching ants, taking hikes and being surrounded by nature. Cristina just understands kids and knows what gets them excited about learning. I love the whole team and I’m so happy they’ve been a part of my toddler’s world. 

-Justine

We love Cristina and Little Finch!! We’ve been with Little Finch since its first year, and our daughter was 3yo at the time. She’s an only and an introvert, so we wanted to give her more opportunities to socialize with other children, and as much outside time as possible. Little Finch Forest School was a perfect fit for us! Our daughter gets to climb trees, hike through the forest, and play in the mud at school. She comes home wonderfully dirty and tired and happy. Cristina and the rest of her staff are all amazing with the children, guiding and supporting their explorations and interactions with patience, gentleness, and compassion, while still maintaining good boundaries for safe outdoor play. The little community of parents is wonderful as well. We have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who will listen for five minutes!! Thank you, Little Finch, for helping our shy little cub blossom!

With love,

Cynthia, Stephanie, & Star

Little finch forest school has been an absolutely wonderful experience for my son. His ability for imaginative play has grown immensely, his observations of the natural world are enlightening, and his joy being outside in all conditions makes me proud. 

The increase in his endurance has been profound. At 4 he can easily keep pace on a two hour canyon hike. Little finch has created a safe and inspiring environment where the kids natural curiosity is at the forefront of everyday and connecting with  nature is imprinting at a most crucial time in a child’s development. I feel so grateful I am able to give my son this experience. 

I would highly recommend for any parent who wants to nurture a love for the earth and all its wonders. 

-Katherine

We cannot say enough great things about Little Finch. Our son was in the program for over a year and he learned so much, became closer to nature, more physically engaged, developing core body strength, because of all the nature walks and hiking, and just overall thrives now as a result. The teachers are all incredibly supportive with the parents and patient and engaged with the children and my son often talks about them outside of school, creating stories with their names as the main characters. The only reason why we left Finch is because we moved away, but thanks to them our son has a wonderful foundation with skills and knowledge of the best kind - the natural-world kind. 

-Mary

Philosophy

At Little Finch Forest School, our philosophy centers around child-led, play-based, and interest-led programming, with an inquiry-based teaching style. We believe in providing children between the ages of 2 and 6 with direct and uninhibited experiences in a unique natural space. Close contact with nature is fundamental to children’s holistic development, encompassing motor, sensory, social, emotional, moral, and cognitive skills. Science emphasizes the importance of uninterrupted outdoor time for children’s well-being, particularly in today’s tech-driven world. We prioritize unstructured time in nature, fostering a sense of timelessness for children to explore and learn at their own pace. Interested in learning more about our specific activities and projects? Check out our blog for insights into the enriching experiences at Little Finch Forest School.

Location

The program will take place outside every day in wonderful natural areas.

Gabrielino Trail: from the JPL parking lot entrance - This location was chosen for its beautiful terrain and plentiful opportunities to learn through direct experiences with nature. Gabrielino trail has many small hiking trails perfect for young children who are gaining strength in their muscles. The long untamed grass and fallen trees provide great learning opportunities to search for bugs and learn about decomposition. fallen trees are also great for climbing! We enjoy the creeks and the beautiful animals that live in the creek such as the California tree frogs, water striders and more! The white alder trees keep the creek shady and cool even in the hot summer months. We collaborate with the naturalists at the hahamongna native plant nursery to educate the teachers about the nature on the trail and the children as well.

About our program

We allow children the time and freedom to build a relationship with nature and each other. Our goal is to stimulate children’s innate curiosity about nature and allow them to see themselves as part of the natural world rather than separate from it. With encouragement, guidance, provocations, and role modeling, we can take fun and exciting play in the forest and transform it into deep learning opportunities.

Learning Outdoors

We see the learning space as open, challenging, and free. Children should not feel limited by “how a space can be used”. At Little Finch we ask, “How else can this space be used? What more can we do? What is the loudest and quietest we can be? What does it feel like to run as fast as our feet can go?”

Children commonly test themselves to discover their physical limitations. This is why they venture to places we ask them not to go. This is developmentally natural and exactly what they are supposed to do; thus, our main job is to guide the children and facilitate their learning journey.

You may ask, “If my child is just playing in the forest, what they are learning?” Studies have shown young children learn best through direct hands-on experience, play, and anything that stimulates the child’s imagination and creativity. Accordingly, the curriculum is carefully constructed with the children’s interests, needs, and curiosities as the basis of our explorations.

In order to keep parents knowledgeable about the children’s experience at Little Finch, we provide a weekly newsletter for parents to demonstrate how the children are learning in forest school.

Safety

Our role is to keep the children safe and out of harm. Part of our learning is to respect nature and gain knowledge of how to interact with it in a safe way. We want to offer children the freedom they deserve to reach their fullest capabilities, strengthen their bodies, and stretch their minds. Please read our handbook for more specific safety protocols.

Class Size

We value small class sizes, with up to 4/5 children per teacher (younger children have a smaller ratio.

Admissions

Join the Little Finch Forest School community in four easy steps:

1. Explore our website

We’ve provided information about our philosophies and offerings to help you decide if our program may be right for your family.

2. Schedule a zoom or phone chat with Director. Email or text

(818)967-9490, or email [email protected]

3. Submit an Enrollment Application

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application at www.wonderschool.com/littlefinch/apply –

4. Enroll

After reviewing your application, we’ll send an enrollment invitation. Upon accepting your invitation, you’ll pay your deposit (usually equal to one month’s tuition), fill out enrollment documents and review our Parent Handbook.