Tiny Palms Forest School - Panamá

Welcome to our @tinyoaksforestschool international site in Panamá! This @tinypalmsforestschool sister-school carries through the same core values, freedoms and future desires for our children & families that our current location in Canada holds. We are thrilled to be adding a second location to our offering! Reach out for more information 🌞🔥❤️🌱 @toucan_place

This week at Tiny Palms..... Jam packed and filled with fun for the first week of the new term. The sit spot practice offers a structured way to achieve holistic development as the children learn mindfulness, heightened sensory awareness, and observational skills. By sitting quietly in a specific, personal space outdoors on a regular basis, they learn to track environmental changes over time, they observe the life cycles of plants, seasonal weather changes, and animal behaviors. They learn to make detailed inquiries through routines like "I notice, I wonder, it reminds me of." By practicing stillness, children engage all their senses. They learn to identify distant bird songs, notice the textures of bark and moss, and detect shifts in the wind. Sit spots act as a form of meditation for children. They learn to pause, breathe, and process mental clutter. This fosters resilience, reduces anxiety, and builds patience as they learn to sit comfortably with themselves. Spending consistent time in one area helps children develop a "sense of place." It nurtures empathy for local wildlife by teaching them to become a quiet, respectful part of the ecosystem. The art of observation as a skill becomes an all-round advantage for all areas of life and work and not only for areas and industries in the natural environments such as farming, conservation, and permaculture. This learning is extended by encouraging children to document their experiences through nature journaling, sketching, and writing. A strong foundational practice for learning. Each term begins with the sit spot. #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #sitspot #theartofobservation #futureready

How many times can a toddler jump over a stream? The answer: At nauseum It might look like simple play, but it's actually a rich, whole-body learning experience. They are building multiple skills without even realizing it, and it's not too obvious to protective adults standing by either. Each jump strengthens gross motor skills - legs, core, balance, and coordination. They are also developing proprioception - understanding where their body is in space - and learning how much force to use to land safely. They are learning to judge distance, assess risk, and adapt. Even small missteps build resilience and confidence as they try again and succeed. They are developing early executive function skills as they navigate each step, each rock, each take off, each landing spot by planning, decision making, and adjusting strategies. They do it over and over and over again because that in itself is deep learning, not just doing the same thing. They refine technique, they build muscle memory, and they gain a sense of control and mastery. Probably the best learning of all is the emotional regulation and joy they experience. They manage their fear as the next jump, now a little higher is a bit scary, and the pride and joy when they make it - "I did it!!" They build intrinsic motivation as they decide to try it again! All this through PLAY - unstructured play. It is far too easy to underestimate the value and importance of unstructured play and far too easy for our children to lack the opportunity. Let them play. #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #freedomofchildhood #importanceofplay #outdooreducation

The Mid-year term is coming up at Tiny Palms, starting 11 May! 14 weeks of hands-on, nature based, child-lead learning lies ahead. Taking on the curiosities and interests of the children, Tiny Palms will be weaving together earth and nature sciences, vertebrates, geography, archeology, and paleontology. What interesting things could come from this at Forest School? Enrollments are now open! All classes offered are elective based, which means families can choose each session independently and be in full control of their child(ren)'s learning and experiences. Try out days are free, and drop-in sessions are also available. Enrollments are now open. The best way to get involved is to reach out in DM and all the details and following steps will be shared personally. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 Se acerca el trimestre de mitad de año en Tiny Palms, que comienza el 11 de mayo! Te esperan 14 semanas de aprendizaje práctico, basado en la naturaleza y dirigido por los niños. Partiendo de la curiosidad e intereses de los niños, Tiny Palms integrará ciencias de la Tierra y la naturaleza, vertebrados, geografía, arqueología y paleontología. Qué cosas interesantes podrían surgir de esto en la Escuela del Bosque? Las inscripciones ya están abiertas! Todas las clases que ofrecemos son optativas, lo que significa que las familias pueden elegir cada sesión de forma independiente y tener el control total del aprendizaje y las experiencias de sus hijos. Los días de prueba son gratuitos y también hay sesiones sin inscripción previa. Las inscripciones ya están abiertas! La mejor manera de participar es contactarnos por mensaje directo y compartiremos personalmente todos los detalles y los pasos a seguir. 🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴 #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #midyearterm #enrollmentsnowopen #freetryoutdays

It is a very special thing when a little girl requests that her birthday celebration be at Forest School. When it happens more than once, more than twice, more than thrice, it is extraordinarily special. It is touching and heart-warming to know that these little people preferred the time and the place and the environment here at Tiny Palms to celebrate with their dearest friends. We take it to mean that we must be doing something right..... 💗💟💗 Es algo muy especial cuando una niña pide celebrar su cumpleaños en la Escuela del Bosque. Cuando sucede más de una, más de dos, más de tres veces, es extraordinariamente especial. Es conmovedor y reconfortante saber que estas pequeñas prefirieron el momento, el lugar y el entorno de Tiny Palms para celebrar con sus amiguitos. Esto nos indica que estamos haciendo las cosas bien... 💗💟💗 #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #cerroazulpanama #birthdays #special moments

This week concluded the first term of forest school at Tiny Palms for 2026, ending with a fabulous cooking class. Following on the cues of nature, the tadpoles in the stream lead the course of curiosity and discovery as the kids explored everything relating to frogs and toads, from the fascinating life cycles and metamorphosis, right through the complexities and intricacies of ecosystems to the cultural and historical significance of these animals in folk lore, meaning and tradition. While everyone is taking a short break, the next term is taking shape in the background, and everyone is waiting in anticipation for the next block of classes. Term 2 will begin on 12 May 2026 for 14 weeks of nature based, child lead, hands-on, real-world learning. Please feel free to DM for the details of term 2 and to sign up for any of the elective based classes and activities. #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #summer2026 #frogsandtoads #unitstudiesrock

Celebrating World Art Day with some of the artworks created by the kids during Art attack week at Tiny Palms.... #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #worldartday #allthingsfrogstudies #freecreativeexpression

Project sweet potatoes is going well at farm school, really teaching the kids a lesson in nature and patience. Last week, the kids gave the sweet potatoes some TLC and found even more eagerness for the harvest. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Today at Tiny Palms 🌴 Hoy en Tiny Palms 🌴

Tiny Palms took a field trip!! Destination: Punta Culebra - Smithsonian Tropical Research Center - So much more than just 'a zoo'. This field trip really was a reminder that learning happens in EVERY PART of the journey. From the moment they boarded the minibus, the children were already growing in independence, patience, responsibility, and confidence as they navigated various spaces together, cared for belongings, and looked out for one another. At the frog center, they deepend their understanding of amphibians, habitats, life cycles, camouflage, and the important conservation work being done to protect Panama's endangered species. It was great to see how different children found 'their spark' in different spaces. For some, the information center with interactive hands-on exhibits of turtle skulls, whale bones, and microscope samples to envestigate and discover was a real highlight. For others, it was the butterfly enclosure that envited quiet observation and awe at the importance that even the smallest creatures play in healthy ecosystems. By the ride home, the bus was full of retold stories, favorite moments, thoughtful questions, and deep connections and friendships being made. We are convinced and absolutely pleased that this day was with no doubt filled with science, conservation, inspiration, stewardship, wonder, and belonging. Just perfect! Tiny Palms hizo una excursión! Destino: Punta Culebra - Centro de Investigaciones Tropicales Smithsonian - Mucho más que un simple zoológico. Esta excursión fue un verdadero recordatorio de que el aprendizaje ocurre en CADA PARTE del viaje. Desde el momento en que subieron al minibús, los niños ya estaban desarrollando independencia, paciencia, responsabilidad y confianza mientras exploraban juntos diferentes espacios, cuidaban sus pertenencias y se apoyaban mutuamente. En el centro de ranas, profundizaron su conocimiento sobre anfibios, hábitats, ciclos de vida, camuflaje y la importante labor de conservación que se realiza para proteger las especies en peligro de extinción de Panamá. Fue maravilloso ve #tinypalmspanama #forestschool #puntaculebra #naturebasedlearning #outdooreducation

Making magnifying glasses to look at the tadpoles more closely 🙌 Always fun to include a construction activity for the kids. They enjoy creating for sure. Haciendo lupas para ver a los gusarapos más cerca en su elemento 🙌 Siempre es divertido incluir una actividad que involucre construir algo. Los niños la disfrutan mucho.

Cooking with kids is definitely a "controlled chaos" situation. It might be hard to tell, but quality learning is taking place. It’s basically a science lab, a math lesson, and a therapy session all wrapped into one messy kitchen counter. ​ Children engage with: ​Practical Math: They aren't just measuring flour; they’re learning about fractions, volume, and counting. ​Science in Action: Watching dough rise or seeing liquid turn into solid is a first-hand chemistry lesson. ​Literacy Skills: Reading recipes helps with vocabulary and following sequential instructions. ​Fine Motor Skills: Stirring, kneading, pouring, and pinching help develop those small muscle groups. ​Sensory Exploration: Exploring different textures, smells, and colors (even the "yucky" ones) reduces pickiness. ​Focus & Patience: Waiting for the timer to beep is the ultimate test of childhood self-control. ​ It cultivates in them a: ​Confidence Boost: There is a massive sense of pride in saying, "I made this myself." ​Healthier Habits: Kids are statistically more likely to try different and least favorite foods of they helped prepare it. ​Social skills and connection: Chitter chatter while completing the task develops communication skills and friendships while sharing the meal deepens bonds and connections. This day on the menu ~ Patacones con Pico de Gallo 🐓 Everyone at Tiny Palms loves cooking class! #tinypalms #forestschool #cerroazul #cookingwithķids #loadedfries