Play is Not Recess from Education; it IS Education.

Our Inspiration

We’re passionate about creating an experience at WonderView where kids learn HOW to think, not WHAT to think. All of our values, mission, and vision are rooted in the work of pioneers in psychology and early child development who agree: Play is not recess from education; it IS education.

Our Approach is Inspired by These Play-Based Learning Concepts

The Four Educative Drives

By ASDE (the Assoc. For Self Directed Education)

“Humans evolved to educate themselves — not sit in rows. Children, by nature, are intensely curious, playful, and sociable…”

How to Get Started with Loose Parts

By Sally Haughey

“Loose Parts play can foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and imagination in young children. 

What Is Play? How Children Define It

By Peter Gray, Ph.D., from Psychology Today

“If an adult is present, it’s probably not play.”

The Power of Play

12 Features Characterizing a Froebelian Approach to Childhood Play

By Professor Tina Bruce

Play is about wallowing in ideas, feelings and relationships and the prowess of the physical body.

Our Favorite Educators

Here are a few of our favorite educators if you’d like a deeper dive into the foundations of WonderView’s Philosophy:

Teacher Tom

Teacher Tom is a preschool teacher, blogger, speaker, artist, and author. Parenting experts recognize him as one of the world’s leading practitioners of democratic play-based education. His blog covers many engaging topics on early childhood education.

Peter Gray

Peter Gray – Peter Gray, Ph.D., is a research professor at Boston College, and author of Free to Learn and writes articles for Psychology Today. His current research and writing focus primarily on children’s natural ways of learning and the life-long value of play and shares that play is intrinsically motivated—means are more valued than ends. Peter Gray | Substack

Sally Haughey

Sally Haughey brought play-based education to public school settings that often left little room for imagination, curiosity, and wonder. After 20 years working on the frontlines, Sally began sharing what she had learned about how to bring play-based practices into even the most traditional learning environments through Wunderled™ which now supports over 240,000 educators changing the face of childhood education. Wunderled

Denita Dinger

Denita Dinger is a self-titled “Professional Brain Developer” fostering the development of little minds in her Family Childcare Program since 1998. She is a defender of play and a believer in letting young children lead their learning through self-motivated discoveries, ideas, and imagination. Denita’s 71,000 enthusiast followers on her Listen to the Children facebook group are a testament to her work.

Friedrich Froebel

Friedrich Froebel (1782-1852) was a German educator who invented kindergarten and is considered a major educational reformer. He believed that play was the best way for children to learn and develop, that children learn best by doing things for themselves and should be given the opportunity to develop independently. Froebel Trust | Froebelian principles

couple with small child in garden
“WonderView has been such a joy for our whole family to be a part of. Our child is truly cherished by the staff and the communication is top-notch. I am notified of any changes, challenges, or concerns in a very timely manner. They are collaborative not just with the parents, but with the children as well.

I highly recommend this school if you believe:

1. Children should be heard, seen, understood & cared about.
2. Childhood is a special season where play is everything.
3. Parents should be reliably informed of challenges at school.

4. All behavior is communication.


We also love that they have a monthly tea meeting for parents to give and receive support!


Erin G., WonderView Parent

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