OUR WHY
Bringing children closer to their own sense of self, their joy, their play, and of course, a healthy layer of dirt.
Why is outdoor learning important to me?
(A personal reflection from founder Marial Leisge) Teaching outdoors is important to me because it reflects everything I’ve learned through my own journey as a mother—especially raising my son Otto. Traditional education expectations often felt suffocating, overlooking the sensory, emotional, and developmental needs of real children. Outside, I found a world where children could finally breathe, move, explore, and learn in the ways their bodies naturally crave. Outdoor teaching allows me to create a learning environment rooted in connection, freedom, and a deep sense of belonging – rather than rigid, unrealistic systems.
Why is outdoor learning important to Ocean State Kids?
Outdoor learning is at the heart of Ocean State Kids because it supports natural child development rather than outdated academic expectations. Outside, children can regulate better, engage more deeply, and build confidence through hands-on exploration that feels meaningful instead of forced. This approach creates an inclusive environment where all types of learners—especially neurodivergent, sensory-seeking, or highly creative children—can thrive. It also strengthens family connections, as learning becomes shared, visible, and community-driven. Most importantly, outdoor learning invites creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resilience in ways four walls simply cannot—bringing children closer to their own sense of self, their joy, their play, and of course, a healthy layer of dirt.
Why is outdoor learning important to the community?
Outdoor education strengthens the entire community by reconnecting families with each other, with nature, and with collaborating community members. Communities become healthier, calmer, and more resilient when children grow up outside—exploring local trails, farms, parks, and natural spaces that belong to all of us. It encourages parents to become active participants in their children’s learning, deepening bonds and shared experiences. Teaching outdoors fosters a culture where childhood is protected, family connection is valued, and nature is treated as an essential part of community life.
Parenting in The Wild: Nature Benefits More Than Just The Kids
Benefits for Parents & Children
When we talk about nature school, we usually highlight what it does for kids—sparking curiosity, building resilience, and nurturing a deep love for the outdoors. But parent-led nature programs change us just as much. They help us slow down, see the world through our child’s eyes, and rediscover the joy of wandering. These moments outdoors aren’t just “activities”—they’re tiny transformations for both parent and child.
A Daily Dose of Physical Activity
Let’s be honest—outdoor learning keeps everyone moving, not just the kids. Wrestling your child into three layers of winter gear? That’s a cardio class. Programs like Little Tweets at the Norman Bird Sanctuary mean miles of wandering, exploring, and climbing right alongside your children. Who needs the gym when nature is calling your name?
Building a Supportive Community & Friendships
Parent-led programs create instant community, connecting you with families who share your values and your pace of life. Some of my closest friendships were born right here at Ocean State Kids, and I don’t take that for granted. We see each other at least once a week—once a week!—and in adulthood, that kind of consistency is rare. These relationships become an anchor.
Actually Become a Naturalist
Spend enough time outside with your child and you’ll suddenly know the names of trees, tracks, birds, and bugs you never noticed before. Ocean State Kids has a way of awakening your inner naturalist, even if you started out Googling “weird mushroom Rhode Island.” And our Wildlife and Trail Guides make learning even more playful and accessible. Before you know it, you’re the neighborhood nature expert.
Empowerment, Confidence & Personal Growth
Our mission has always been simple: empower parents to become their child's most influential teacher. Taking an active role in your child’s learning builds confidence, strengthens your intuition, and reminds you that you’re fully capable of guiding their growth. Watching your child bloom—knowing you played a hands-on role—fills your heart in ways school drop-off never could. And somewhere along the way, we all pick up new nature skills, new hobbies, and a little more wonder than we had before.
Serious Stress & Anxiety Relief
Nature is the ultimate reset button, and science backs that up. I can feel weighed down by anxiety or mental fog, but the moment I step outside, everything softens. The fresh air clears my mind, the movement resets my body, and the presence of my child brings me right back to what matters. For a little while, it’s just us and the world—and it feels like magic.
Child Experts All Around Us
A lovely surprise within OSK is just how many parents come with backgrounds in Early Childhood Development, Education, therapy, or preschool teaching. Our groups are filled with quiet brilliance and lived experience. It feels like a built-in parenting masterclass—one where everyone shares ideas generously and nobody pretends to have all the answers. We learn from each other as much as we learn from the land.
Time for Reflection & Patience
Nature-based learning naturally slows the rhythm of your day, giving you room to breathe, reflect, and soak in the sweet moments with your children. Outdoor adventures also build patience and resourcefulness—especially when navigating weather, mud, or snack negotiations. And of course, nothing tests your endurance quite like walking at “toddler pace.” That alone could be an Olympic sport.
Beliefs & Facts Around Outdoor Learning
• Outdoor learning provides the perfect setting for all subjects.
• Unstructured play outdoors promotes creativity and problem-solving.
• Children experience fewer behavioral problems outdoors.
• Time in nature reduces symptoms of ADHD.
• Just 30 minutes outdoors improves sleep.
• Children who play outside play harder and longer.
• Nature significantly reduces stress and cortisol.
• Nature provides vitamin D for strong bones.
• Outdoor exposure helps build immunity.
• Fresh air increases serotonin levels.
• Nature promotes relaxation and confidence.
• Outdoor learning improves academic performance.
• Outdoor learning brings joy and engagement.
• Outdoor activities build community and playfulness.
• Using outdoors brings content to life.
• With preparation, outdoor learning works in many weather conditions.