Place-Based Education: Learning From Our Local Landscape

Have you ever wondered how deeply children can connect with the land right beneath their feet? Place-based education transforms familiar parks, trails, and natural spaces into living classrooms where curiosity and a sense of belonging grow every day.

Deep connection to place

At our forest school, children explore places like San Elijo Lagoon in Cardiff, Oak Riparian Park in Carlsbad, and Buena Vista Park in Vista. They learn about native plants, local wildlife, and seasonal changes firsthand. One morning, a child might hear the cry of a red-shouldered hawk overhead, spot a coyote quietly moving through the brush, or watch a family of squirrels chase each other through the trees. These magical moments help children feel truly rooted in their community and deepen their understanding of the life around them.

Fostering stewardship and responsibility through Place-Based Education

Understanding and caring for their immediate surroundings helps children become thoughtful stewards of the land. When children learn to identify local bird calls, track coyote footprints, or notice the way squirrels gather acorns for the winter, they naturally feel motivated to protect and care for these places. This sense of responsibility extends beyond the forest into their homes and broader communities.

Real-world, hands-on learning

Instead of abstract lessons, children see, touch, and experience concepts directly. From learning about the water cycle at a local creek to observing food webs in action at the lagoon, place-based education makes learning authentic and memorable. According to Sobel, 2004, this approach strengthens academic engagement and fosters a lifelong love of learning. Research shows that place-based education can increase student engagement by up to 95% and improve academic achievement across subjects, including science, language arts, and social studies (PEEC, 2010).