"There are three teachers of children: adults, other children, and the physical environment." - Loris Malaguzzi
At Frida’s Garden, our environment doesn't end at the front door (or the back gate). Because of this, I like to think of our environment in three parts: our home, our garden, and our community. Each offers something a little different, and together they give the children the space to explore, create, move, and feel at home.
Our Enviroment
My home is the first thing you and your child will see when you arrive at Frida’s Garden. The space was thoughtfully designed by both my dad and my twin sister, and it has always been a really special place to me.
The space is bright and open, with open-ended toys, books, and art supplies all within the children’s reach. There are spaces to move and play, as well as cozy places to slow down, read a book, or spend some quiet time. Because it is a home, there is a warmth and coziness to the space that I think helps children settle in and feel comfortable being themselves.
Our Home
Just outside our door is our garden. Depending on the time of year, the backyard looks all kinds of different ways, which is part of what makes it so fun.
Some things are always available, like our sandbox, our wooden-and-tire balance zone, and mud kitchen, while other parts of the yard change with the seasons. The backyard is intentionally nature-focused, with fewer traditional toys and more open-ended materials. This gives the kids plenty of room to use their imaginations, make up their own games, build, dig, experiment, and create. There is always something a little different to discover back here.
Our Garden
The largest part of our environment is actually outside of our home: our community, Boulder. We have countless parks, trails, bike paths, and open spaces to explore, and where we go can change from day to day. Sometimes we head out on the Bunch bike to a favorite park, and other days we might explore somewhere new. We also have plenty of little “side quests,” like visiting the library or taking a tour of the recycling center.
Having Boulder as part of our environment gives the children so much variety and allows them to experience the world beyond our backyard. We get to see different places, meet other people and children in our community, and experience the seasons as they change around us.
Our Community
