Education and Being

This time last year, Camden and I were in the process of putting in a new floor on the porch, clearing space in the backyard, building a hexagon sandbox, and making our first flyer to let the community know that we were accepting applications to start at Roots Of Life in the fall. There was a period of a few months that we weren’t even sure if anyone would sign-up… we asked ourselves, will this even work? I remember thinking, “I don’t know what I am going to do if it doesn’t.” I felt that what we were striving to create was meant to be at both a personal level and on a larger scope as well. Now, a year later, we can look back and see the results of our perseverance, adaptability, and dedication as we look forward to the flourishing potential of the roots which we have sowed.

One of the initial challenges we faced was coming up with a name for our program. It felt important to have a meaningful way to describe what we were doing. In that process, Camden and I would toss around ideas, run them by friends, and engage in discussions about what was at the core of our initiative. The name would be the most concise way to convey to the world what we were about. For a short time, we called it Joyful Life Learning, and even printed a few brochures with this name. However, upon some further contemplation and brainstorming, Roots of Life made its way to the surface. It felt right and more aligned with our vision. We added on ‘Where Living is Learning’ (partially to appease the LLC requirements as just the name ‘Roots of Life’ was already taken) but also because it was a core value, to live and learn together. With that, we had a name and a location… we just needed families who were willing to embark with us on the journey ahead.

Before launching into that topic, I feel it is important to recognize our process around understanding what we were doing beyond a name. We had an embodied, heartful understanding, but sometimes struggled to explain it clearly. Are we a school?… What does holistic mean?… Do we have a curriculum?… Are we teachers, guides, facilitators, or mentors?… How is the day structured?… What do we want children to learn?… And more importantly, how do we want them to learn? The next iteration of words that emerged to help us clarify our movement was to call Roots of Life (ROL) a holistic, nature-based program. There is still plenty of space to unpack this term further, but it was a phrase that rang true to us and those who we were explaining the program to. Conversations around our mission, vision, values, and objectives are an ongoing dialogue inspired by first-hand experience and learning on our part. Our approach is a living document, an adaptable being, and ultimately an unending movement towards learning for all those involved. Rather than getting fixated on trying to figure out the right way to educate, or the perfect approach, we are breathing into the experience and process together, side-by-side.

Since the onset, we have seen this project as a way to connect with and support families and the community. As it says on the webpage, “When a child joins Roots of Life, the family joins us as well. It is a space for living and learning together.” It took some time to connect with families who were excited about what we had to offer and who saw themselves as a good fit for them and their child(ren). We started with just two families and if it hadn’t been for them, I’m not sure if we would have been able to get off the ground. Over the next few months, we continued to have others reach out with sincere interest. The connection and friendships we have formed with our current ROL families is profound and more than what I could have ever expected. I want to acknowledge how we couldn’t be doing this without them… I mean really, it would be pretty lame if Camden and I showed up each morning and sat in circle time by ourselves, played in the woods, and gardened by ourselves. ( :

I also need to celebrate the incredible teachers that have made this program possible. Terra, Paul, Maya, and Camden each bring an authentic and thoughtful presence to our children. I have such a deep respect and reverence for each of these humans who are not only my friends, but my teachers. I have learned so much this year along side our students. As a child, I wasn’t that outdoorsy, and I still feel I have so much to learn about the earth, gardening, and nature. After we learned about edible plants this past term, such as cat briar tips, sourwood leaves, baby pines, I noticed how attuned I was when I went walking in the woods on my own. I was paying attention to what was growing and I snacked on these plants along the way. I could feel a deeper relationship with my environment than I have ever felt before. As I experienced this for myself, I witnessed a similar transformation in the children. We were learning side by side about the names, qualities, and benefits of various plants. It helped me to understand how to guide and scaffold their learning because I was learning with them. I remember when we first started the discussion last year about what ROL would be, we said, “Why would we want to always be teaching about things that we already know.” This attitude has continued and keeps every week exciting for both the children and the teachers.

Everyday that we were together we had so many meaningful moments and learning was inherent in each experience, whether it was planned or spontaneous. As the last day quickly approached, we wanted the children to have an opportunity to celebrate and share what they had learned. About three weeks before the end of the term, we asked the children to reflect with us about what they had done (making shelters, baking bread, foraging, singing in circle time, putting on plays, playing lava monster, gardening, making fires, practicing yoga, etc.). Then about what values they gained from those experiences (resourcefulness, gratitude, love of nature, etc). And finally, what things they feel most confident in and want to share with parents that would demonstrate those values. They came up with ideas on their own and were both committed and excited to create the end of year celebration. We wanted the children to feel the ownership and pride in what they shared, rather than it be just about following the will of the teachers. We then spent the last few weeks preparing their ideas.

Our end of year gathering welcomed parents, siblings, and grandparents. The parents had the opportunity to help make Kimchi (delicious fermented cabbage) while the children made bread and prepared to host their parents for the later morning activities. Around 10:30 we gathered outside to play a plant game, then the children led us all through the woods where the teepee we had made together was located. After an explanation about how it was made, we sat together inside the teepee for circle time, which the children also led. Following this was a tour of the fairy village the children had made, a quick sun dance (at their proposition), and then back to the playground for our homemade bread, butter, juice, and juice pulp crackers.

As the morning festivities came to a close, there were many hugs, a few tears, and an outpouring of love and appreciation for one another. Words are important and helpful, such as the name Roots of Life, Where Living is Learning, or the term Holistic, Nature-Based Program. They can convey a lot of meaning and help us to understand and communicate. However, the feeling and energy that filled the air on that last day, it goes beyond words. So much of what this program does and creates through the collaboration of incredible beings is not meant to be explained, it needs to be felt and experienced first-hand.

One day when we were discussing with the children about all that can be learned from books, one child raised her hand and pointed out how she didn’t think we could learn about foraging through a book, we needed to go outside and do it. Through this comment she recognized the unequivocal value of ones lived experience. To feel, to touch, to be with, are the the grounds for deep, transformative learning. We can’t transform in isolation, just as a seed will not grow without soil, sunlight, and water. So as our journey continues, let us live and learn together.

We are excited to be holding our first summer camps this June (Farm to Table 6/19-6/23 & Yoga and Nature 6/26-6/30) and then we will be beginning our fall term in August. We have been in the process of constructing a new building to be able to expand our offerings and always welcome volunteers to help with building, or in a number of other ways from making toys to assisting in the garden. We have some space still available for Summer camps and the fall session (M-TH 8:30-12:30) which welcomes ages 3-12. If you are interested, please reach out with any questions. If there are families who are interested in a holistic-nature based program for their children in the West Georgia area, we will do all that we can to make it a reality!