Our children are the future stewards of this earth & their relationship to the land starts in the home. Our children will inherit the attitudes we hold toward the natural world. Their eyes are always on us.
Elders are growing ever less present to pass down family remedies & hold space for these sacred exchanges. My classes were created out of a desire to hold that space, to awaken children's curiosities & to engage their inner healers. It is more imperative now than ever to provide our children with a framework from which they can develop a deep connection to the natural world, and through such, gain a sense of personal authority to which they can carry into adulthood.
In my classes, students receive a foundational, step by step outline of what it looks like to establish a home apothecary. Together we formulate age-appropriate medicines following the same SOPs I adhere to when creating products for purchase. This provides an authentic immersion into both the magical and practical world of herbal crafting.
My curriculum is adapted according to the age, goals & interests of my cohort. There is a greater emphasis placed on cognitive lessons, note taking and group discussions with older children (ages 9-15). I take a more simplified, sensory-driven, project oriented approach with younger ones (ages 5-8).
Every ingredient brought into the classroom is traceable to its source. When unable to forage herbs myself, I support small, regional herb farms with transparent, regenerative practices. I work exclusively with real plant matter and do not use essential oils. Remedies are centered solely around safe plant allies, some of which include; chamomile, peppermint, plantain, catnip, lavender, calendula, california poppy and lemon balm. I am happy to dive deeper into my sourcing practices regarding other ingredients used in the classroom upon request.