Playing with Intent
Nature Immersion + Food
Pre-K Playgroup
In our Earth Heroes Pre-K Playgroup, children will sow seeds for a lifelong connection with nature. With the support of CNGF’s teachers, families in this program share responsibility for the care of all children. Children learn outdoors through hands-on, nature-based, sensory play.
Details
Where
Gatherings will be held outdoors in our ELSEE garden (Environmental Laboratory for Sustainability and Ecological Education) weather permitting; otherwise, we will use our indoor classroom.
California Native Garden Foundation’s ELSEE
76 Race Street
San Jose, CA
When
- Relaunch in early 2025
- Weekly on Friday mornings (excluding holidays)
- The Homeschool Group schedule will coincide with the Ocean Grove school calendar.
Participants
- Ages 3-5
- Ten students maximum per playgroup.
- Siblings are welcome. A maximum of six siblings may attend each session.
- This is a parent/guardian participation program. In the event that a parent needs to step out, another parent can be designated.
Sampling of our Lessons
Garden Activity
- Seeding
- Harvesting
- Planting Cuttings
- Weeding
- Exploring – Collecting Seeds, Fallen Flowers, Fallen Leaves
- Compost
Vegetarian / Vegan Snack*
- Farm-to-table
- Kids work with teachers to harvest and prepare snacks
*Food allergies are accommodated.
Play, Movement, Activity
- Dancing
- Stretch to Refocus
- Garden Games
- Hide and Seek
- Relay Race
- Tag
- Free Play
Art
- Finger Painting with Herbal Paints
- Painting – Flour-based Paint
- Play Dough
- Seed Recycled Paper
- Nature Observation Books
Spoken Word
- Song
- Chant
- Indigenous stories
Native Plant and Animal Relationship
- Oak Trees and Scrub Jays
- Linear Leaf Milkweed and Monarch Butterfly
- Elderberry and Western Meadowlark
- Pumpkin and Golden Orb Spider
Pricing
Monthly Rates: $110 to $180, depending upon number of sessions
Daily Rate: $38/day
Meet Our Pre-K Teacher
Monica Vega
Monica was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She graduated from San Jose State University with a bachelor's degree in child development, and a master's degree in elementary education. While in college, she tutored English and philosophy, worked at Sunday Friends as a volunteer coordinator, and co-founded Veggielution Community Farm. After graduating, she served as the Education Director at VCF for six years working with youth from toddlers to adolescents. She went on to teach 1st and 2nd grade at McKinley Elementary School for seven years. Currently, she's homeschooling her son and teaching at CNGF part-time. As a multiple subject credentialed teacher with a strong background in nature-based education, Monica loves to explore and learn with children of all ages. She also loves to sew, scrapbook, cook, bake, garden, hike, journal, and read.