Kiddie Academy of Pasadena
Our Nature Explore Classroom is a vibrant, engaging environment that invites children to connect with nature through hands-on exploration, discovery, and play. The space is thoughtfully designed to spark curiosity and support learning across developmental domains while fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Our gardens are a central feature and are full of life year-round. Children regularly observe and interact with worms, ladybugs, and other living organisms while helping to grow seasonal fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, cucumbers, mint, and tomatoes. These experiences help children understand life cycles, responsibility, and where food comes from.
We intentionally include plants that inspire wonder through their scale and growth. Children have observed mammoth sunflowers reaching over nine feet tall, towering corn stalks, and oversized produce such as long cucumbers and giant pumpkins. These elements encourage observation, measurement, and conversations about growth and environmental conditions.
To highlight the diversity of plant life, we maintain a succulent garden that showcases unique textures and adaptations. Our vertical hydroponic spice garden introduces children to alternative growing methods, supporting early STEM learning and encouraging inquiry about how plants grow in different environments.
Our outdoor space also includes fruit-bearing plants such as a mini apple orchard and passion fruit vines, providing opportunities for children to harvest and taste fresh produce, further strengthening their connection to nature.
In addition to the gardens, we offer a variety of interactive learning areas. Our STEM water wall encourages collaboration and problem-solving as children pump water through tubes and observe how it flows and spins pinwheels. The mud kitchen supports sensory and imaginative play, especially during rainy weather, with accessible gear that allows children to fully engage with natural materials.
The classroom also features bike paths for physical development, cozy reading areas for quiet exploration, grassy hills for climbing and movement, and outdoor tables for art, instruction, and child-led activities.
Overall, our Nature Explore Classroom reflects our continued commitment to creating a rich, nature-based environment where children can explore, learn, and thrive through meaningful outdoor experiences.
Learn more about this classroom on their certification page!
