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Wild Child Forest School
Michelle Goulet Barteaux is a homeschooling advocate and Forest School Founder. Wild Child Forest and Nature School (Wild Child Alternative Education) is in Bragg Creek, Alberta. The school caters to homeschooling families but is inclusive to all children. Michelle became a homeschool and nature advocate because of her children. In particular because of her son.
The Beginning Journey
The birth of Michelle’s oldest child changed their life trajectory. In utero the doctors diagnosed her son with Chronic kidney disease. He has a degenerative condition which will lead to dialysis and transplant. Due to his many conditions they have to be near a hospital and make regular visits to the hospital. He is also neurologically divergent. This means he is twice exceptional- gifted with severe learning disabilities. Michelle knew from the beginning that their son was not going to fit into a typical school program. Dyspraxia, Sensory Processing disorder, Anxiety, ADHD. She describes him as mesmerizing, shocking and shakes up the way you think.
The Struggle of School Life
At first Michelle and her husband didn’t know there were other options. They started their son in a kindergarten class in a Calgary Charter School. An arts immersion program. Everyday was a struggle. Her son had behaviour problems. He had meltdowns. Suffering from severe anxiety he could not go to the bathroom on his own. Yet, in academics, he was years ahead of his peers. They would be working on an alphabet letter and he was finishing novels. Half way through the year Michelle met with his teacher. His teacher seemed shocked that he was so far ahead of his class. Michelle already was aware of this and it surprised her that the school was now realizing this. It bothered Michelle because she felt his teacher wasn’t seeing him. The negative expectations were already set and hard to now overcome.
She wanted to do something different. So both she and a friend decided to try homeschooling. They haven’t looked back since.
Forest Bathing
While researching Michelle learned about a Japanese term called Forest Bathing. It linked the health benefits of being outside in nature and in the forest. Inspired, they moved out of the city and into Bragg Creek, an area surrounded by nature and forest. They would go out into the forest and river once a week. They started bringing friends out. It did so much for their family and her son. For example, her son needs 20 hours/week of therapy. It was easier for her son to do his physical therapy when they were playing out in nature. Michelle found when they were out with friends in nature it evened out the playing field. It offered different levels of experiences for kids at the same time. This included her son. Seeing the opportunities she started looking for a space to create more of this.
Forest School Philosophy
Michelle’s philosophy is in natural learning. The Reggio Emilia approach fits quite well and the Forest School approach is similar. Children are capable learners. Competent. Designed to learn. Adults with them follow the interest of the children.
Forest school fits many age ranges. This allows sibling groups, and allows for different abilities. Forest schools are different from other programs because they are created around the natural outside environment. Learning, and even curriculum, is integrated to the outside. It is not an accessory to education. It is the education.
Wild Child Forest and Nature School
At Wild Child In The Woods the days outside are always new. They have an indoor space as well as outdoor but 80% of their days are spent outside. Even in the winter! They may find a deer’s foot (yes they found an actual foot), see eagles flying down the river, or see other animals in their habitat.
And the school is growing. Wild Child In The Woods Forest School is a community and provides Michelle with a job she loves.
The kids make so many connections. Her job at the school is to help form those connections. Michelle also makes a point to invite kids with exceptional needs to her program. Their space is inclusive and welcoming to everyone. She also understands first hand the major benefits it has provided for both of her children.
Inspired Secular Homeschool Conference
Next on the list for Michelle is another community space. The Inspired Secular Homeschool Conference. This year’s conference will be September 14th and 15th in Calgary. This is the only secular homeschoolers conference in Alberta. The conference is a community building event for like minded people to come together. It’s a chance to learn more about and celebrate homeschool as an excellent educational method. This year’s keynote will be Education Activist, Patrick Farenga. Friday will be dinner and presentation with Pat Farenga. Saturday offers vendors, workshops and a Keynote. Michelle and fellow conference creator Alisha Brignall wanted a weekend that they would want to attend. The conference wasn’t offered so they created it. Learn more about it here.
Michelle’s advice to parents: Pick any wild space and visit.
Listen to the episode to hear more about the unique benefits of forest school. You will also hear Michelle tell more about their journey raising a child with exceptional needs.
Learn more about Wild Child Forest and Nature School.
