In Memphis, the Natural Learning School holds the belief that children are "natural learners." The program is designed to establish a supportive environment where the child may discover and investigate the surrounding world to become more open to the process of learning and acquire interpersonal collaborative skills. The Atelier Art Studio is a central learning tool for children to develop skills and learn creatively. Natural Learning School stresses the importance of self-realization as a fundamental part of elementary education that fuels the child's ability to learn as he grows up.
Thornton Creek School aims to address the social, emotional and intellectual needs of each child through the creation of a supportive, experiential educational philosophy that promotes the active involvement in school activities of parents and community. Located in Seattle, the Thornton School extends learning beyond school walls by incorporating a six-week introductory period each year, followed by a series of experiential learning expeditions designed based on the philosophies of Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound.
Maria Montessori was an Italian physician and educator who developed a style of schooling based on her observations of children in a free and open environment. Though the Montessori style has been developed to meet the needs of children through age 18, the Montessori School of Manhattan offers classes to children ages 2 to 5. Providing children with freedom inside a safe and prepared environment to pursue self-directed learning, the Montessori learning experience values the child's inner nature and impulses above all else. Other Montessori Schools can be found across the country and internationally.
Alternative education options often adjust their programs to meet the need of each individual child in a way that traditional forms of education do not have the time or resources in which to invest. Emphasizing the importance of a child's natural learning style through either experiential outdoor expeditions or investigative indoor activities empowers students to become more self-reliant, self-assured, collaborative and curious. Teaching each child how to embrace her own learning style offers a vote of confidence that stays with the child throughout her life. Research local private and public schools that offer unique methods of education for children that may require alternative teaching approaches geared toward the child's natural learning style.