Ridgebury Farm is excited to announce the grand opening of its new natural playground, situated inside of Farmer Phil’s Barnyard! This new play area offers your child a unique opportunity to enhance their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
The natural playground features a wooden balance beam, climbing structures, cause-and-effect installations like a ball run and more! Within the barnyard, children can enhance their play and therapy by interacting with our sheep, goats, and chickens. Access to the playground is exclusive to our playgroup, community programs, therapy sessions, and families of riders. With the increase in screen and sedentary activities, children need to be in spaces that promote their optimal physical, psychological, and social health. |  |
Unstructured play in nature-based settings is an optimal environment that promotes physical and gross motor development, resilience, problem-solving, and healthy risk-taking. Play is the main occupation and lens in which children learn how to move their bodies, think critically, explore their environment, and engage in prosocial behaviors. Unstructured play, also known as free play, is child-directed, with no planning from adults, adults may ask questions or promote to further enhance their engagement (Dankiw et al., 2020). All of our enrichment programs are built around unstructured child-led play.
Our newest enrichment program is a drop-off nature-based learning group for 2-4 year-olds. It allows children to embark on a magical learning adventure each session at Ridgebury Farm! Guided by educators and clinicians, they will explore nature's wonders while learning the alphabet and arithmetic through stories, sensory activities, and outdoor play.
From discovering hidden treasures in the forest to engaging in hands-on crafts with natural materials, every moment fosters curiosity, creativity, and a deep connection to the world around them. It's a nurturing environment where young explorers thrive, learning and growing amidst the beauty and tranquility of nature.
Classes will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-11am, September 10th- December 12th.
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