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The Gardenia Curriculum is a whole-child, nature-based educational framework that connects the mind, heart, and senses through meaningful exploration. Our approach honors each child’s natural rhythm of learning while cultivating strong foundations in academics, creativity, and emotional intelligence. Every lesson is inspired by the living world and guided by the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPs) — ensuring children thrive developmentally, cognitively, and socially at every stage.
Nature-Based Studies
Children learn through the rhythms of the earth — exploring the forests, skies, and seasons of Minnesota. Through hands-on investigations in soil, water, weather, and wildlife, children develop early science, language, and environmental literacy. Outdoor classrooms, gardening projects, and nature walks foster curiosity, empathy for living things, and a deep sense of belonging to the natural world.
Singapore Math Foundations
Gardenia integrates the Singapore Math approach — a globally recognized, concept-based model that builds deep mathematical understanding from the earliest years. Children learn to think critically and visualize patterns through manipulatives, number stories, and real-world problem solving. Our teachers emphasize reasoning over rote memorization, helping children gain genuine confidence in numeracy, logic, and spatial awareness — essential school readiness skills.
The Gardenia Nature Lab
In our light-filled studio, art and nature intertwine. Children paint with natural pigments, sculpt with clay, and design with materials gathered from the world around them — leaves, shells, wood, and light. Each project honors Minnesota’s seasons and celebrates cultural arts from around the world, nurturing creativity, focus, and multicultural awareness. The atelier serves as the emotional heart of our curriculum — a space where children express what they observe, imagine, and feel.
Social-Emotional & Executive Function Growth
Emotional intelligence is woven into every part of the Gardenia Day. Children learn to name their feelings, solve problems peacefully, and practice empathy through guided play, mindfulness, and community rituals. Routines are designed to strengthen executive functioning — focus, flexibility, and self-regulation — which research shows are essential predictors of lifelong success.