Forest Playgroup is one of the most nurturing and fun outdoor classes for young children that Los Angeles has to offer. And my son absolutely adores the class leader, Miss Betsy.
Positive childhood memories are founded on a core of simple acts like being in and around nature, gathering leaves for art projects, studying caterpillars, listening to and pretending to be wildlife, taking time to breathe good old-fashioned fresh air, and singing down-to-earth songs with other little ones in the presence of their loving caregivers.
I deeply wanted to make such pure experiences available for my son, but was initially at a loss for exactly how to offer that in a way that was compatible for a young toddler and manageable for me--a busy working mom. So I did what everyone does when seeking out the beauty and meaning of nature... I searched the internet. Little did I know that one fairly bland phrase, "outdoor preschool LA" was about to have such a positive and meaningful impact on my little family.
We have been attending Forest Playgroup for over a year. My son was just starting to walk and talk when we first enrolled, and now he runs and holds full-on conversations. From the very first class, Miss Betsy created an environment and class structure that made it seamless for even the youngest children to have a compelling experience. The age expectation of the "0" as well as the "6" in the "0-6" age range are totally legit (though I do think the parents of some of the youngest babies in class can be fairly challenged by transporting an infant to Bailey Canyon...but most of them come every week anyway.)
Miss Betsy's knowledge of child development, early education, and her gentle modelling approach really set PlaygroupLA classes apart. Forest Playgroup offers fun, compelling and thoughtful experiences for my son. HIs self-assurance--in saying his name at group time, initiating art projects with a variety of tools, and navigating the social complexity of other different little beings--has skyrocketed over this past year. And he's not the only one. Miss Betsy offers plenty of education, insight, coaching, empathetic perspectives, and a few funny asides for caregivers too. I often go home to my husband quoting Miss Betsy and feeling proud of my own growth as a parent.
Forest Playgroup has become a vital experience for my son and our family. Miss Betsy truly creates a loving, light space for children and parents to be in. Something I feel lucky to have been able to share with my son. read more