{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Michigan Family Forest School","home_page_url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com","description":"Michigan Family Forest School","author":{"name":"Michigan Family Forest School"},"items":[{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/village-bookshelf-picture-books-that-help-raise-village-builders","html_content":"

I've been wondering something lately.

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/village-bookshelf-picture-books-that-help-raise-village-builders","title":"Village Bookshelf: Picture Books That Help Raise Village Builders","summary":"I've been wondering something lately.","date_modified":"2026-07-16T16:38:22Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/books-that-changed-the-way-i-think-about-motherhood-community","html_content":"

10 Books That Changed the Way I Think About Motherhood, Community, and Building a Village, Part One.

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/books-that-changed-the-way-i-think-about-motherhood-community","title":"Books That Changed the Way I Think About Motherhood, Community...","summary":"10 Books That Changed the Way I Think About Motherhood, Community, and Building a Village, Part One.","date_modified":"2026-07-15T18:30:00Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/our-favorite-nature-journaling-supplies-for-curious-kids","html_content":"

One of the simplest ways we've learned to slow down outdoors is by keeping a nature journal.

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/our-favorite-nature-journaling-supplies-for-curious-kids","title":"Our Favorite Nature Journaling Supplies for Curious Kids","summary":"One of the simplest ways we've learned to slow down outdoors is by keeping a nature journal.","date_modified":"2026-07-15T15:55:16Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/museum-field-trip-advice","html_content":"

While outdoor learning is paramount, we occasionally sprinkle in some indoor museum learning. Part of the joy of home education is a good, hands on learning field trip anytime we feel like going and they can be enjoyable...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/museum-field-trip-advice","title":"Art Museum Field Trip Advice","summary":"While outdoor learning is paramount, we occasionally sprinkle in some indoor museum learning. Part of the joy of home education is a good, hands on learning field trip anytime we feel like going and they can be enjoyable...","date_modified":"2025-01-09T23:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/gifts-for-the-nature-forward-family","html_content":"

While I strongly believe that time is the best gift we can give each other, there are always a few gifts under our tree. We try to only purchase gifts that will stand the test of time and not end up in the garbage or don...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/gifts-for-the-nature-forward-family","title":"Gifts for the Nature Forward Family & Homeschool Christmas Gifts","summary":"While I strongly believe that time is the best gift we can give each other, there are always a few gifts under our tree. We try to only purchase gifts that will stand the test of time and not end up in the garbage or don...","date_modified":"2024-11-29T17:36:34Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/winter-gear-recommendations","html_content":"

Winter and Summer are HARSH and uncomfortable seasons. In the Summer we have water play, while in the Winter we have SNOW play and fire! Staying dry is a big part of staying warm in the cold months. Wool is key in stayin...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/winter-gear-recommendations","title":"WINTER Outdoor Gear Recommendations","summary":"Winter and Summer are HARSH and uncomfortable seasons. In the Summer we have water play, while in the Winter we have SNOW play and fire! Staying dry is a big part of staying warm in the cold months. Wool is key in stayin...","date_modified":"2024-11-27T16:13:04Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/unschooling-young-naturalists","html_content":"

We are unschoolers. We burry our head and hearts in subjects in which we find interesting and worth learning. As parent, it is my job to provide a rich feast of literature, art, activities and adventures surrounding the ...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/unschooling-young-naturalists","title":"Unschooling Young Naturalists","summary":"We are unschoolers. We burry our head and hearts in subjects in which we find interesting and worth learning. As parent, it is my job to provide a rich feast of literature, art, activities and adventures surrounding the ...","date_modified":"2024-08-03T00:37:17Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/like-minded-families-finding-your-community","html_content":"

The Purpose of Our Monday Community - Family Forward

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/like-minded-families-finding-your-community","title":"Like-Minded Families Finding Your Community","summary":"The Purpose of Our Monday Community - Family Forward","date_modified":"2024-07-07T18:49:37Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/friendships","html_content":"

Making those long term friendships is important in life. It is a wonderful thing to see your children connecting with other little people and watching those friendships grow. The excitement of a birthday party or playdat...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/friendships","title":"Friendships","summary":"Making those long term friendships is important in life. It is a wonderful thing to see your children connecting with other little people and watching those friendships grow. The excitement of a birthday party or playdat...","date_modified":"2024-06-25T13:50:06Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/whittling-and-knife-safety-for-kids","html_content":"

Whittling and Knife Safety for Kids

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/whittling-and-knife-safety-for-kids","title":"Whittling and Knife Safety for Kids","summary":"Whittling and Knife Safety for Kids","date_modified":"2024-04-17T13:37:50Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/winter-nature-school","html_content":"

Our Winter season started cold and dark but blossomed into a beautiful season of nature learning! Why cold and dark? We started off with a NIGHT hike on one of the darkest nights of the year. We learned a ton about natur...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/winter-nature-school","title":"Family Unschooling Homeschool Nature Winter","summary":"Our Winter season started cold and dark but blossomed into a beautiful season of nature learning! Why cold and dark? We started off with a NIGHT hike on one of the darkest nights of the year. We learned a ton about natur...","date_modified":"2024-04-13T16:25:15Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/spring-wardrobe-tips","html_content":"

Rain Gear // Spring Wardrobe Tips Hiking with Kids

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/spring-wardrobe-tips","title":"Wardrobe Tips Hiking with Kids","summary":"Rain Gear // Spring Wardrobe Tips Hiking with Kids","date_modified":"2024-04-12T15:03:37Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/spring-homeschool-young-naturalist","html_content":"

We began our spring season with a snowy day. We ventured into the wild in search of signs of spring! Every week we have nothing but the best time outdoors for HOURS.

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/spring-homeschool-young-naturalist","title":"Spring Homeschool Young Naturalist","summary":"We began our spring season with a snowy day. We ventured into the wild in search of signs of spring! Every week we have nothing but the best time outdoors for HOURS.","date_modified":"2024-03-21T19:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/july-naturalists-wednesdays","html_content":"

This July we had a lovely month of learning and adventuring together. We read a few books, found a few bugs, butterflies and salamanders and in general enjoyed our Wednesdays!

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/july-naturalists-wednesdays","title":"July Naturalists Wednesdays","summary":"This July we had a lovely month of learning and adventuring together. We read a few books, found a few bugs, butterflies and salamanders and in general enjoyed our Wednesdays!","date_modified":"2023-08-14T03:22:44Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/why-we-choose-no-co-ops","html_content":"

My choice to home educate is very similar to why I choose no co-ops or other drop off programs for our family. It is a multi-faceted personal choice, and I fully respect the choices of others who choose differently. My c...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/why-we-choose-no-co-ops","title":"Why our family says no to co-ops and other drop off programs","summary":"My choice to home educate is very similar to why I choose no co-ops or other drop off programs for our family. It is a multi-faceted personal choice, and I fully respect the choices of others who choose differently. My c...","date_modified":"2023-05-25T03:25:10Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/nature-the-importance-of---coming-soon","html_content":"

Read Balanced and Barefoot - Post coming soon <3

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/nature-the-importance-of---coming-soon","title":"Nature, the importance of - coming soon!","summary":"Read Balanced and Barefoot - Post coming soon <3","date_modified":"2023-04-25T15:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/scaffolding-coming-soon","html_content":"

My children need me. They have relied on my help since day one. As they have grown from infancy they have become less and less in need of my constant help and instead need my support to navigate and learn from the world ...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/scaffolding-coming-soon","title":"Vygotsky’s Scaffolding and Zone of Proximal Development","summary":"My children need me. They have relied on my help since day one. As they have grown from infancy they have become less and less in need of my constant help and instead need my support to navigate and learn from the world ...","date_modified":"2023-03-10T14:55:26Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/unstructured-play","html_content":"

As a child I remember playing for hours outside. Yes, we did have a television to watch, and yes we did watch it. However, the memories I have of childhood are outdoors. We were fortunate to have always lived in homes su...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/unstructured-play","title":"Unstructured Play","summary":"As a child I remember playing for hours outside. Yes, we did have a television to watch, and yes we did watch it. However, the memories I have of childhood are outdoors. We were fortunate to have always lived in homes su...","date_modified":"2023-03-10T13:00:00Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/our-unschooling-journey","html_content":"

Unschooling is freedom in my eyes. It is freedom from a set plan and following the natural gifts and interests of my children. As a recovering public educator (ten years in elementary), I wrote curriculum on the regular ...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/our-unschooling-journey","title":"Our Unschooling Journey","summary":"Unschooling is freedom in my eyes. It is freedom from a set plan and following the natural gifts and interests of my children. As a recovering public educator (ten years in elementary), I wrote curriculum on the regular ...","date_modified":"2023-03-09T14:46:07Z"},{"id":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/embracing-the-cold","html_content":"

Getting out of your comfort level isn't always easy. Most humans like a nice 70 degree temperature indoors and that is comfortable. Outdoors in the Midwest we have seasons, and the temperature changes wildly throughout t...

","url":"https://proudlakenatureschool.com/why/f/embracing-the-cold","title":"Embracing the Cold","summary":"Getting out of your comfort level isn't always easy. Most humans like a nice 70 degree temperature indoors and that is comfortable. Outdoors in the Midwest we have seasons, and the temperature changes wildly throughout t...","date_modified":"2023-03-09T14:13:47Z"}]}