24. Why an Alternative Learning Experience Might Be the Best Gift You Can Give Your Child with Dr. Traci Scheepstra
- Brittany Miller
- Aug 28, 2023
- 13 min read
Updated: Oct 20
In this episode of Go Get Great, I'm joined by Dr. Traci Scheepstra. Traci has been an educator for more than three decades, teaching everyone from infants at music-and-movement classes to pre-service teachers at Canadian universities. Over the years she's worn many hats — instructor, curriculum specialist, dance-education practitioner, coach, nonprofit co-founder, and now the founding principal of Walnut Forest Academy. Today, we're talking about why an alternative learning experience can be a powerful, practical, and heart-centered choice for many families.
In this article I explain what I mean by an alternative learning experience, why it matters, how it differs from conventional schooling, and what options families have right now — from part-time programs to full-time forest-based schools. I’ll also share practical tools you can use to decide what’s best for your child, tips for easing transitions into school, and a peek into her other work: the Love Project 365 and Embodied Learnings. My goal is to give you real, down-to-earth guidance so you can make informed choices for your family.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why Dr. Traci Scheepstra cares about alternative learning experience
Education has been my calling since I was a teenager. I adored teaching and I loved dance; those two passions shaped the work I’ve done across classrooms and communities. But over time, and through many conversations with families and teachers, I noticed a gap between what many children need and what large, traditional systems are designed to deliver. That gap is why I became committed to creating learning that is holistic, experiential, arts-integrated, and grounded in nature — what I now describe as an alternative learning experience.
When I looked around my community and reflected on my family life as a mother and a grandmother, I began to ask: what would schooling look like if it truly prioritized well-being, curiosity, and creativity? What would it take to help children remain seen and heard while still learning foundational skills like reading, writing, and math? That’s how Walnut Forest Academy (located in Eden Mills, Ontario) was born — out of a desire to bring proven educational practices together in a different setting: outdoors, small-scale, hands-on, and child-centered.
What an alternative learning experience looks like in practice
When I say “alternative learning experience,” I’m talking about a thoughtful combination of the following elements:
Land-based and outdoor learning: Children spend roughly two-thirds of our day outside, learning through direct interaction with the environment. This isn’t just recess — it’s curriculum lived in nature.
Arts-integrated and play-based instruction: Movement, dance, storytelling, visual arts, and creative projects are used to teach core concepts. Arts integration deepens understanding and keeps children engaged.
Inquiry-based and child-led learning: Children’s questions and interests guide projects. They build math, science, language skills through meaningful activities — planting a garden becomes a lesson in measurement, biology, weather patterns, and narrative.
Small class sizes and high adult attention: Traci's model limits groups to no more than 12 students with two teachers — a teacher-to-student ratio that allows for true observation, tailored support, and richer relationships.
Flexible scheduling options: Families might choose a five-day, three-day, or two-day rhythm, or even single immersion days in nature like Wild Wednesdays. This flexibility makes an alternative learning experience accessible to diverse family needs.
All of this is integrated so that learning is cohesive rather than fragmented into isolated subjects. Instead of “now it’s math, now it’s language,” children experience learning as an interconnected process that makes sense in their lives.
How foundational skills are built in an alternative learning experience
One common concern I hear from parents (and one I shared myself) is: “Will my child still learn to read, write, and do math?” My answer is an emphatic yes. The difference with an alternative learning experience is that core skills are woven into meaningful contexts rather than taught as discrete drills.
For example:
Building a garden requires counting, measuring distances between seeds, estimating growth timelines — practical math in context.
Keeping a learning journal, crafting stories about a nature walk, or labeling parts of a plant develops language and writing skills in an authentic way.
Designing a simple bird feeder or observing insect life invites scientific thinking: asking questions, making predictions, recording observations, and drawing conclusions.
This integrated approach respects that children are motivated by real purposes. They learn faster and remember better when their lessons connect to wonder, play, and real-world outcomes.
Why nature matters: the science
There’s growing research that supports what many educators and parents instinctively know: spending time in nature is restorative and boosts learning. In some parts of the world, doctors are even prescribing time outdoors as part of a wellness plan because of nature’s benefits for stress reduction, mood improvement, and cognitive functioning. In an alternative learning experience, nature is the classroom, the lab, and the inspiration.
From her perspective, when children spend immersive days outside, several things happen:
Emotional regulation improves. After extended periods indoors or online during the pandemic, many children need time to relearn social skills and self-regulation. Nature calms the nervous system and gives children space to practice social interactions in low-pressure settings.
Attention and curiosity are restored. The natural world invites sustained attention. A child can follow an ant trail, come back later, and pick up a thread of inquiry that leads to deeper learning.
Physical health and gross motor skills develop. Climbing, balancing, running, and carrying natural materials build strength and coordination in ways that sitting at a desk cannot.
Mindfulness and presence are cultivated. Outdoor learning naturally slows things down. Wild Wednesdays and full-day forest immersions give children time to breathe and to learn in a way that feels less hurried.
Small class sizes: why the ratio matters
In public schools, classrooms can be large. Teachers are dedicated and skilled, but they simply can’t be everywhere. That means children who are sensitive, who need more time to express themselves, or who prefer hands-on learning can get lost in the crowd. An alternative learning experience solves this by keeping groups intentionally small. At Walnut Forest Academy they cap our daily groups at 12 children with two teachers. That ratio allows teachers to:
Observe each child closely
Provide differentiated support
Follow individual curiosity
Build genuine relationships with families
Small groups also strengthen classroom community. Children learn to negotiate, collaborate, and empathize in ways that are often harder to cultivate in large groups.
Options for families: mixing models and flexible attendance
The word “alternative” can sound like an all-or-nothing choice. It doesn’t have to be. One of the strengths of an alternative learning experience is flexibility. Walnut Forest Academy offers multiple pathways so families can choose what fits their lifestyle and values:
Five-day full-time programs (9:00–3:30) that mirror the public school day in number of hours, but with a radically different pedagogy and environment.
Three-day or two-day options for families who want community learning without the full commitment to five days — a great fit for parents balancing work and home learning.
Single-day immersions like Wild Wednesdays, where children spend a fully immersive day in nature every other week. These days are excellent supplements for children in mainstream schools, homeschool families, and anyone who wants a nature reset.
These hybrid choices mean that an alternative learning experience can be tailored to meet diverse family needs. It’s not about removing choice — it’s about expanding it.
How to decide what Alternative Learning Experience is right for your child
Choosing between public school, homeschooling, and an alternative learning experience can feel overwhelming. Here are practical steps I recommend families take when evaluating options.
1. Start with curiosity and observation
Ask yourself: how does my child respond to group settings? Are they energized or drained after social play? Do they need movement and sensory input to focus? Observing your child’s responses in different contexts is the most reliable data you have.
2. Separate your emotions from your child’s needs
We love our children and we want to protect them. That instinct is healthy, but sometimes our fears — about safety, achievement, or judgment — can cloud our judgement. When you analyze schooling options, try to ask: am I reacting out of anxiety or responding to my child’s expressed needs?
3. Consider sensitivity and regulation
Many of the families who reach out to me have children who are sensitive — whether sensory-sensitive, emotionally sensitive, or socially sensitive. These children often thrive in small, predictable environments where adults can respond closely to their needs. An alternative learning experience can be a good fit for them, but every child is different.
4. Ask concrete questions when you visit a program
What is the teacher-to-student ratio?
How much time is spent outdoors each day?
How is curriculum integrated across subjects?
How do teachers handle peer conflict and emotional regulation?
What are the sample daily rhythms and routines?
What support exists for children who need extra help?
5. Be open to mixed models
You don’t need to commit to one pathway forever. Many families split the difference — part-time alternative learning combined with public school, or supplementing public school with a weekly forest day. An alternative learning experience can be part of a balanced approach.
Practical tips for preparing young children for Alternative or Forest schools
Transitions are challenging for kids and for parents. If your child is entering kindergarten or starting a new program, here are practical strategies Dr. Scheepstra often recommends:
Incremental attendance: If five days feels like too much, consider a slower start — two or three days a week — until your child settles.
Practice routines: Role-play lunch routines, opening containers, independent dressing, and bathroom transitions at home. These practical tasks reduce anxiety at school.
Talk about feelings: Give your child language for what they’re feeling. Questions like “Where do you feel that in your body?” help kids build interoception — awareness of inner sensations.
Watch body cues: Changes in sleep, appetite, or behavior can signal stress. Be curious and compassionate rather than reactions to perceived “bad” behaviour.
Build rituals: Create arrival and departure rituals so transitions feel predictable and safe.
Remember, kindergarten is not compulsory in many places for four- and five-year-olds. You can make choices about timing that fit your child and family.
What the pandemic revealed — and why change is possible
The past few years highlighted areas where large systems struggled to adapt quickly. Online learning, social distancing, and interruptions in routine had ripple effects on children’s emotional regulation and peer skills. Many teachers and families noticed a rise in emotional dysregulation — kids coming into school with less ability to manage big feelings after periods of isolation.
That disruption created an opening: families began to experiment with different models of learning. In Canada, homeschooling numbers reportedly doubled in a two-year span. Educators are leaving school boards and creating new programs. In short, the demand for an alternative learning experience has been growing because families are re-evaluating what they want from education.
How She designed Walnut Forest Academy as a response
Walnut Forest Academy is my answer to the question: how can we create an environment where children thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically? Here’s how she structured it:
Age range: Opening this September from Junior Kindergarten through Grade 3, with plans to grow one grade per year until Grade 8.
Daily structure: Five-day option (9:00–3:30) plus three-day and two-day options for families who need them.
Outdoor time: Two-thirds of the day outdoors, on-site and in local forests and trails.
Class size: No more than 12 students per day with two teachers.
Special programs: Wild Wednesdays — fully immersive nature days offered bi-weekly, open to community families and homeschoolers.
Her programming draws on elements from educational philosophies such as Waldorf and Reggio Emilia, but it’s crafted with her background in dance, curriculum, and teacher education to be holistic and grounded in the land.
The Love Project 365: practicing love as a way of life
A big part of her personal and professional journey is the Love Project 365. What started as a blog in 2016 — a year of daily reflections on love amid a polarized political moment — evolved into a coaching business and a daily creative practice. She eventually shifted the daily practice to movement: I committed to dancing every day and posting a short clip. That practice became a visible expression of what she teachs: showing up, creating from the heart, and leaning into play and presence.
Why mention this here? Because the ethos of the Love Project 365 is directly connected to the kind of learning environment she want for children. When we center love, curiosity, and creativity, we create the conditions where learning is joyful and sustained. An alternative learning experience that fosters those values helps children show up as whole people, not just test scores.
What Traci learned from doing daily creative practices
Doing something every day — whether it’s writing, movement, or journaling — is revealing. It exposes resistance, perfectionism, and the stories we tell ourselves. For her, dancing every day taught her:
How performance mindsets can creep into personal practice and how to shift back to play.
How showing up for myself daily strengthens my capacity to show up for others.
That consistency breeds creativity: small daily acts compound into significant change.
These lessons are relevant to parents and educators alike. Whether you’re learning to support your child’s transitions or building a school, the same principles apply: presence, patience, and practice.
Investing in yourself as a parent or educator
One of the most practical steps you can take — whether you’re a parent deciding on schooling or an educator creating new programs — is to invest in your own growth. For me, that has meant long-term mentorship and joining business and peer groups that help me keep perspective. I still meet regularly with a mentor I’ve worked with for many years; she helps me find clarity when things feel blurry.
Here are ways to invest wisely:
Find a coach or mentor who asks the right questions and helps you see patterns you can’t see yourself.
Join a peer learning group for accountability and to learn practical business and leadership skills.
Try small experiments rather than huge leaps: a 30-day practice, a single Wild Wednesday, or a two-day school week can tell you a lot.
These investments are not indulgences; they’re practical ways to build capacity to care for children and run programs sustainably.
What I’ve failed at — and what I learned
Failure is one of the most honest teachers. For me, a recurring challenge has been mindset: the persistent “not enough” narrative. I can get caught in loops of comparison and perfectionism — thinking I need more credentials, more resources, or more validation. The work of noticing those stories, naming them, and returning to presence has been transformative.
My learning from these failures is simple but powerful:
Awareness comes first. Notice the story you’re telling yourself.
Ask, “Is this story true?” Then choose to reframe it or let it go.
Return to the present: what small next step can you take right now?
That approach informs how I coach (and how Traci teaches): we begin with curiosity, not judgment, and we build forward momentum from what’s possible today.
Common questions from parents (FAQ)
Q: Will my child learn the basics (reading, writing, math) in an alternative learning experience?
A: Absolutely. In an alternative learning experience, foundational skills are taught within meaningful contexts. Instead of isolated worksheets, children encounter real problems that require reading, writing, and numeracy to solve. Learning feels relevant and therefore sticks.
Q: What if my family can’t afford full-time alternative schooling?
A: There are many ways to access aspects of an alternative learning experience without committing to full-time private tuition. Look for community programs, single-day nature immersions, co-op models, and part-time options. Some families also mix public school with weekly nature days or arts programs.
Q: How do you handle assessments and reporting in this type of program?
A: Traci sys assessment in an alternative learning experience tends to be qualitative and portfolio-based. We collect samples of student work, observations, and project artifacts that show growth over time. Where formal reporting is required, we align portfolios and observations with learning standards so parents and any receiving schools can see progress clearly.
Q: What about socialization — will my child miss out on social skills?
A: Socialization in small, intentionally structured groups can be richer than in large classrooms. Children in an alternative learning experience practice conflict resolution, leadership, cooperation, and empathy in real contexts — building durable social skills.
Q: My child is very sensitive. Is this the right fit?
A: Many sensitive children thrive in an alternative learning experience because small groups and outdoor settings reduce overstimulation and support individualized attention. Sensitivity is not a deficit; it is a trait that responds well to predictable rhythms, responsive adults, and opportunities for movement and retreat.
Q: How does this model prepare children for transition back into more conventional school systems later on?
A: An alternative learning experience emphasizes core competencies — literacy, numeracy, scientific thinking, collaboration, and executive functioning — that translate across contexts. Children who have had rich, engaged learning experiences often adapt well to more structured settings because they have confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.
Final thoughts: choice, curiosity, and compassion
I believe that every parent wants what’s best for their child. The exciting part is that there are more choices now than ever before. The surge in homeschooling and alternative programs in recent years has shown that families want learning that honors the whole child. An alternative learning experience is not an escape from responsibility; it’s an intentional path that places curiosity, well-being, and deep learning at the centre of childhood.
If you’re feeling unsure, that’s completely normal. Start with small experiments: a weekend nature hike that becomes a project, a weekly creative class, or even a 30-day practice for your own wellbeing. The most important thing you can do for your child is to stay curious, ask questions, and be willing to pivot when something doesn’t fit.
Thank you for spending this time with Dr. Traci Scheepstra and I. If anything I’ve shared here resonates with you — whether it’s questions about small class sizes, nature-based learning, or how to prepare your child for kindergarten — I invite you to keep exploring. Reach out, visit programs, and talk with other parents. Your child’s learning path can be as unique and vibrant as they are.
Tune into more episode of Go Get Great for marketing & motherhood advice to take life from good to great.
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00:00 Intro
3:47 What you want to be when you grow up
5:10 Introducing Walnut Forest Academy
8:40 Teaching STEM in nature
11:00 The impact of class sizes
11:30 Alternative learning in Canada
13:20 Deciding to homeschool
15:34 Getting ready to transition into school
20:20 How to make a decision about schooling options
23:10 School hours
26:20 Learning environments and their impact on education
31:30 The Love Project 365
41:00 What to consider when committing to a project
47:40 The importance of investing in yourself
49:00 Learning from failure
56:00 Wrap up
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