--- title: "Rooted in Learning: Resources to Choose the Right School (2)" description: Thoughtful perspectives for parents on the role of nature, creativity, and curiosity-driven learning in a child’s early development. (2) --- [![The Little School](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheLittleSchool_November2023/images/ylvg7cxglcjmqol8nqsq.svg "The Little School")](https://www.thelittleschool.org/) - [Family Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/family-portal) - [Faculty Staff Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/faculty-staff-portal) - [Alumni Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/alumni-portal) Open site search  Search The Little School   - [About](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about) ![Student and teacher working together at a classroom table](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheLittleSchool_November2023/images/navigation/about-256.jpg?width=256&height=171&name=about-256.jpg) - [Welcome from the Head](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/welcome-from-the-head) - [Strategic Plan](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/strategic-plan) - [At A Glance](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/at-a-glance) - [Our History](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/our-history) - 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[Tuition & Financial Aid](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/frequently-asked-questions) - [Come Learn More](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/come-learn-more) - [Giving](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving) ![The Little School auction guests raising bid cards at dinner](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheLittleSchool_November2023/images/navigation/giving-256.jpg?width=256&height=171&name=giving-256.jpg) - [Make A Gift](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/make-a-gift) - [Annual Fund](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/annual-fund) - [Auction](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/auction) - [Volunteer](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/volunteer) - [Summer Camp](https://www.thelittleschool.org/summer-camp) Open site navigation Search The Little School  - [About](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about) Show About submenu - [Welcome from the Head](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/welcome-from-the-head) - [Strategic Plan](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/strategic-plan) - [At A Glance](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/at-a-glance) - [Our History](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/our-history) - [Mission, Vision and Values](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/mission-vision-and-values) - [A Commitment to Belonging](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/commitment-to-belonging) - [Environmental Stewardship at TLS](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/environmental-stewardship) - [Publications](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/publications) - [Campus](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/campus) - [Map & Directions](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/map-directions) - [Employment](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/employment) - [Calendar](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/calendar) - [Program](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program) Show Program submenu - [Early Childhood](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/early-childhood) - [Kindergarten](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/kindergarten) - [1st and 2nd Grade](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/1st-and-2nd-grade) - [3rd Grade](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/3rd-grade) - [4th and 5th Grade](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/4th-and-5th-grade) - [Specialists](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/specialists) - [After School Experiences](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/after-school-experiences) - [Student Support Team](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/student-support-team) - [Middle School and Outgrowing Information](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/middle-school-info) - [TLS Educators' Blog](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/) - [Community](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community) Show Community submenu - [Students](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/students) - [Families](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/families) - [Faculty and Staff](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/faculty-and-staff) - [Board of Trustees](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/board-of-trustees) - [Alumni](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/alumni) - [Grandparents and Special Friends Day](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/gpsf) - [Global Cultures Celebration](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/gcc) - [Arts Festival](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/arts-festival) - [Fall Festival](https://www.thelittleschool.org/community/fall-festival) - [Admissions](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions) Show Admissions submenu - [How to Apply](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/how-to-apply) - [Tours & Admissions Events](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/important-dates) - [Tuition & Financial Aid](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/tuition-financial-aid) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/frequently-asked-questions) - [Come Learn More](https://www.thelittleschool.org/admissions/come-learn-more) - [Giving](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving) Show Giving submenu - [Make A Gift](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/make-a-gift) - [Annual Fund](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/annual-fund) - [Auction](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/auction) - [Volunteer](https://www.thelittleschool.org/giving/volunteer) - [Summer Camp](https://www.thelittleschool.org/summer-camp) - [Family Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/family-portal) - [Faculty Staff Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/faculty-staff-portal) - [Alumni Portal](https://www.thelittleschool.org/alumni-portal) ## Blog topics - [Learning in Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/learning-in-action) - [Progressive Education Insights](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/progressive-education-insights) - [Cultivating Curiosity & Creativity](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/cultivating-curiosity-creativity) - [Family Journeys](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/family-journeys) 1. [Home](https://www.thelittleschool.org/) 2. [Blog](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/) 3. Rooted in Learning # Rooted in Learning [![A Peek Into The Little School’s Learning Environment](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Group%20On%20Tree%20-%20LP.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=Group%20On%20Tree%20-%20LP.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/learning-environment-little-school-bellevue) [A Peek Into The Little School’s Learning Environment](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/learning-environment-little-school-bellevue) By The Little School Published Oct 2, 2025, 10:00:00 AM - [Learning in Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/learning-in-action) [![Our Philosophy in Action: Daily Life at The Little School](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/tls-program-video.webp?width=780&height=585&name=tls-program-video.webp)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/daily-life-at-little-school) [Our Philosophy in Action: Daily Life at The Little School](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/daily-life-at-little-school) By The Little School Published Feb 7, 2025, 11:20:07 AM - [Progressive Education Insights](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/progressive-education-insights) Parents often wonder, "What will a typical day look like for my child?" At The Little School, each day is designed with purpose—balancing structure and spontaneity to create a joyful, engaging, and... [![Why Families Choose The Little School](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/tls-campus.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=tls-campus.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/why-families-choose-tls) [Why Families Choose The Little School](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/why-families-choose-tls) By The Little School Published Dec 18, 2024, 1:18:17 PM - [Progressive Education Insights](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/progressive-education-insights) For over 65 years, families have chosen The Little School for its unique blend of progressive educational approach, a strong sense of community and a deep connection to the natural world. But what... [![Making Space for Tough Questions](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ToughQuestions1-1.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=ToughQuestions1-1.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/making-space-for-tough-questions) [Making Space for Tough Questions](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/making-space-for-tough-questions) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Progressive Education Insights](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/progressive-education-insights) Training, planning and curriculum can only do so much for a teacher. No amount of reading the insights of educational theorists, carefully detailing lesson plans or thoughtfully setting up a... [![Purposeful Discussion in the Math Classroom](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/WhatDoYouNotice_1.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=WhatDoYouNotice_1.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/purposeful-discussion-in-the-math-classroom) [Purposeful Discussion in the Math Classroom](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/purposeful-discussion-in-the-math-classroom) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Learning in Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/learning-in-action) When I reflect on what is most important to me as an educator, I land time and again on student voice and belonging. Each year, I work hard to build a safe, purposeful learning community where... [![Using Play to Support and Inspire the Emerging Writer](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/emergingwriter1-1.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=emergingwriter1-1.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/using-play-to-support-and-inspire-the-emerging-writer) [Using Play to Support and Inspire the Emerging Writer](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/using-play-to-support-and-inspire-the-emerging-writer) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Cultivating Curiosity & Creativity](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/cultivating-curiosity-creativity) "We do not want to teach children something that they can learn by themselves. We do not want to give them thoughts that they can produce by themselves. What we want to do is activate within... [![Math in 4th and 5th Grade](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/45math.png?width=780&height=585&name=45math.png)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/math-in-4th-and-5th-grade) [Math in 4th and 5th Grade](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/math-in-4th-and-5th-grade) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Learning in Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/learning-in-action) Katie Warden teaches 4th and 5th grade students at TLS. When asked how multiplication and division are taught in 4th and 5th grade at TLS, she created the video below. While it was specifically... [![Rainy Days – An Invitation to Play](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/rainydays7-1.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=rainydays7-1.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/rainy-daysan-invitation-to-play) [Rainy Days – An Invitation to Play](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/rainy-daysan-invitation-to-play) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Cultivating Curiosity & Creativity](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/cultivating-curiosity-creativity) “A rainy day is the perfect time for a walk in the woods.” – Rachel Carson Rain, rain, go away Come again another day Many of us have heard this popular English language nursery rhyme, and some of... [![Thematic, Integrated Unit Planning: Immersive Academics Harness Imagination](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/toga.jpg?width=780&height=585&name=toga.jpg)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/thematic-integrated-unit-planning-immersive-academics-harness-imagination) [Thematic, Integrated Unit Planning: Immersive Academics Harness Imagination](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/thematic-integrated-unit-planning-immersive-academics-harness-imagination) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Cultivating Curiosity & Creativity](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/cultivating-curiosity-creativity) The Dust Bowl – Balloons – Stories of Survival – Dakota Access Pipeline Protests – World Records – Athletic Endurance – Literary Classics – The Black Lives Matter Movement – Erosion – Monuments – [![Seizing Children’s Capacity to Put Care into Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AtSchool-WanttoFeel-1.png?width=780&height=585&name=AtSchool-WanttoFeel-1.png)](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/seizing-childrens-capacity-to-put-care-into-action) [Seizing Children’s Capacity to Put Care into Action](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog/details/board/tls-educators-blog/post/seizing-childrens-capacity-to-put-care-into-action) By The Little School Published Nov 6, 2022, 11:07:45 PM - [Progressive Education Insights](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/tag/progressive-education-insights) “To prepare a student for the future life means to give him command of himself; it means to train him so that he will have the full and ready use of all his capacities.” – John Dewey, American... [Prev](https://blog.thelittleschool.org) [1](https://blog.thelittleschool.org) [2](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/page/2) [3](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/page/3) [Next](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/page/3) Rooted in Learning is a resource for families who believe that education should be as dynamic as their child’s curiosity. Designed for parents and educators exploring independent schools, our blog offers thoughtful perspectives on the role of nature, creativity, and curiosity-driven learning in a child’s early development. Whether you’re researching preschool and elementary school options, considering a school transition, or simply looking for ways to understand your child’s learning experience, our blog offers expert perspectives and actionable insights. Rooted in The Little School’s vision of fostering sustainability, justice, and joy, our blog helps you explore the benefits of blended indoor/outdoor education, social-emotional growth tied to intellectual growth, and teaching that inspires a mindset of lifelong learning—so you can confidently choose the right environment where your child can thrive. ![TLS staff](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheLittleSchool_November2023/images/TLS-staff-21-22.jpg?width=512&name=TLS-staff-21-22.jpg "TLS staff") [![Dots](https://blog.thelittleschool.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/TheLittleSchool_November2023/images/yrqoof9coikhyd8lzthz.svg "Dots")](https://www.thelittleschool.org/) The Little School cultivates authentic learning in community and the natural world, amplifying curiosity and expanding sense of self, belonging and possibility.   The Little School does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity or family composition in the administration of its admissions, financial aid, hiring or any other school-administered programs.   - - - - ## Contact The Little School  2812 116th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 T: 425-827-8708 E: [info@thelittleschool.org](mailto:info@thelittleschool.org) [TLS MERCH STORE](https://shop.thelittleschool.org/) ## Resources - [Employment](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/employment) - [Directions](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/map-directions) - [Faculty Directory](https://www.thelittleschool.org/faculty-staff-directory) - [Calendar](https://www.thelittleschool.org/about/calendar) - [TLS Weather Station](https://www.pwsweather.com/station/pws/TLSWEATHERSTATION) - [TLS Educators' Blog](https://www.thelittleschool.org/program/tls-educators-blog) Back to top All rights reserved — 2025 © The Little School - [Accessibility](https://www.thelittleschool.org/accessibility-statement) - [Privacy](https://www.thelittleschool.org/privacy-policy) - [Sitemap](https://www.thelittleschool.org/site-map) - [Feedback](https://www.thelittleschool.org/site-feedback)