ABOUT GGHF CURIOUS BY NATURE SCHOOL
GGHF Curious By Nature offers a one-of-a-kind, nature-based early-childhood program that helps children develop key critical thinking skills to support their success in math, science, language and the arts. Our students go outside to learn, explore and play every day, rain or shine! At GGHF Curious by Nature School, our teachers combine child-centered philosophies (i.e., Reggio Emilia) with nationally-recognized nature-based, multi-disciplinary curriculum (e.g., Growing Up WILD™, Get Set For School™) in music, language, arts and crafts, math, science, culture, and learning about Pacific Northwest habitats.
Nestled in the quiet, historic town of Gig Harbor, Washington, we offer Toddler, Preschool, Pre-K classes for children ages 2-6 and enrichment classes and camps for school-aged children ages 6-9. Our Growing Up WILD™ curriculum activities are correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards and the Head Start domains.
WHAT SETS US APART?
Our one-of-a-kind program brings kids closer to nature in a way that supports their discovery of the wonders of the world we live in. Focusing on the whole child, our curriculum promotes opportunities for children to learn about seasons, plants, animals, ecosystems, weather, habitats, people, and cultures.
Daily activities include:
Outdoor Play - everyday, rain or shine
Art Activities
Music and Movement
Natural Science Experiments
Large and Small Motor Activities
Language Activities
Sensory Activities
In addition to our daily explorations in our outdoor classroom, we take regular nature walks in the Adam Tallman Nature Park, a protected wetland preserve maintained by the City of Gig Harbor. Children are exposed daily to a wide variety of native plant and animal habitats.
GGHF Curious by Nature School, is part of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation (GGHF) a qualified 50I(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization serving the greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula community. The school was founded in 2011, and our immersion program where the classroom and 100% of the learning day is outdoors was introduced in 2016.
Understanding the Reggio Emilia Approach for Preschoolers
The Reggio Emilia instructional framework is a highly respected early childhood education philosophy that began in Reggio Emilia, Italy, after World War II. It is based on the belief that children are capable, curious, and full of potential. At its core, this approach views young learners not as empty vessels to be filled, but as active participants in their own learning journey.
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In a Reggio-inspired preschool, children’s interests and questions help guide the curriculum. Teachers observe and listen closely to students, using their natural curiosity as a foundation for meaningful learning experiences. This means your child’s day is filled with hands-on exploration, problem-solving, and creative expression—often through art, storytelling, building, and play.
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The classroom environment is also considered a “third teacher,” intentionally designed to encourage independence, collaboration, and discovery. Spaces are inviting, organized, and rich with materials that children can freely use to express their thoughts and ideas.
Another hallmark of the Reggio Emilia approach is its emphasis on relationships. Teachers, children, and parents work in partnership, with strong communication and shared goals. Documentation—such as photos, drawings, and teacher notes—plays a key role in tracking each child’s progress and making learning visible.
Rather than using a set curriculum or rigid lesson plans, Reggio teachers adapt to the evolving interests of the children, fostering a love of learning and a sense of agency. This approach helps preschoolers develop critical thinking, social-emotional skills, and confidence—all essential foundations for future success.
For parents, a Reggio Emilia-inspired preschool offers a nurturing, respectful, and enriching environment where your child is seen as capable and celebrated for their individuality. It’s a place where learning is joyful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in real-world exploration.