The Shed’s Approach to Learning

At The Shed, we believe that children learn best by doing. We use hands-on learning experiences and inquiry-based learning to teach empathy, confidence, creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and resiliency. Our experiences provide relevant opportunities for questioning, reflection, evaluation, and conversation. Our programs offer a small, supportive and engaging environment for children to get outside and deepen their connection to themselves, the community, and to our planet.

What Children Experience at The Shed

Hands-on Experiences
What children experience

Our sessions are thoughtfully designed around a variety of hands-on experiences that encourage exploration, creativity, movement, and connection.

🌿 Outdoor Health & Exploration

🍳 Cooking, Farming & Growing

🤝 Community & Social Action

🛠 Building, Crafting & Creating

💃 Creative Movement

Through these experiences, children are encouraged to question, reflect, collaborate, and develop practical life skills.

Community Circle
How children reflect + learn

Every session begins and ends with a Community Circle — a core part of the Shed experience.

At the beginning of each session, children are introduced to a question or idea to reflect on throughout the day.

At the end, they come back together to:

  • Share reflections

  • Express appreciation

  • Thank others in the group

  • Close the day as a community

This rhythm encourages children not only to participate in experiences, but also to reflect on them.

Building Global Competencies
What these experiences help develop over time

Our programs are guided by The Shed Learner Compass, which focuses on helping children develop global competencies.

Sustainable

  • Caring & Compassionate

  • Community-Oriented

  • Courageous

  • Connected