Loose parts play has been a part of a Parish education since the school opened in 1983. Learn how we're expanding upon this type of play in our early childhood program today.

Getting dirty just for fun is one of the privileges of childhood. Climbing trees, scaling hillsides, fashioning hiding places with leaves and sticks – all of these are built into a kid’s DNA. We don’t necessarily think of these activities as a crucial part of a child’s development. But research demonstrates that regular interactions with nature contribute in many ways to learning and socialization.

Little Acorn Park is The Parish School's first certified outdoor classroom. Read about its ceremonial groundbreaking and construction plans.