BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — A preschool opening in Brooklyn Heights next fall will help children learn to count with the help of live chinchillas.
The Green School, which began with a location in the Hamptons that touts a 5-acre farm full of animals, is bringing its four-legged teaching pals to a second location on Willow Street, between Pineapple and Clark Streets.
The new school will be home to a host of pets such as bunnies, chinchillas and birds. Other animals like chickens and baby pigs will be brought in from the Hamptons site to make guest appearances.
Founder Mari Linnman, who’s also behind the outdoor children's programs at The Art Farm, has been working with children and animals for 20 years. She said working with animals teaches children academic skills, like talking about textures and shapes and numbers, as well as social skills, like sharing and being gentle.
“There is such a connection between children and animals,” Linnman said. “If you put a 6-month-old in front of bunnies, their eyes light up and they want to reach out to them.”
While the school isn’t Montessori certified, Linnman said it is inspired by the Montessori philosophy of “hidden learning.”
At the Green School, children will learn their letters and numbers while they’re in the sandbox or drawing with chalk. They’ll also learn about recycling and reusing by making crafts with items like toilet paper rolls for crafts or sending leftovers home in reusable tupperware.
Students will also be taught not to waste water or light, with the idea that they’ll spread the message to their parents and siblings at home.
While the Brooklyn location won’t have its own outdoor garden, there will be an indoor hydroponic garden and children will go outside to nearby parks on a regular basis.
“Don’t come with your little ballerina shoes, because we truly go outside,” Linnman said.
Each class will hold 12 children, with two to three teachers per class, depending on the age group.
Children can enroll for three or five days a week. Classes will run for half-day or full-day session, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There will also be after school care through 6 p.m.
The school, which is now accepting applications for September 2016, will host an information session for prospective parents on Jan. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Friend of a Farmer at 76 Montague St.
To learn more, email info@The-Green-School.org.
