About
Meet the Facilitator
Libby taught kindergarten and first grade for seventeen years after earning her bachelor's degree in English and master's degrees in Elementary Education and Reading. Recently, she has been rediscovering her love of nature while visiting the many parks in the DMV.
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In 2021, Libby started hosting play-based outdoor classes. This renewed her passion for the learning community. Since then, she and her son have made many friends, memories and experiences learning in the beautiful outdoors in Northern Virginia. She feels so fortunate to be able to invite other caregivers and children to join her in creating a space to play beyond the walls of a schoolroom.
Guiding Principles
At Take It Outside DMV, caregivers are partners in the learning process. They stay with the group and participate as they feel comfortable.
Flow Between Free Play and Structured Lessons
Focus on Foundational Social Skills
Dynamic Lessons Created for the Participants
Time is given for children to explore independently or with friends during free play. This free play is balanced with instructional moments where children participate in a larger group learning experience as they build a sense of community.
While daily lessons focus on different topics, the constant theme throughout the classes is practicing social skills to build community. This includes taking turns, listening to short instructional moments, transitioning between activities, sharing, resolving conflicts, cleaning up, self-advocating, risk-taking, dealing with frustration, and participating.
The lessons are not prefabricated. Instead, the facilitator evaluates children's needs and interests and pairs that with weather forecasts to create play-based learning experiences that support the growth of participants.
What People Are Saying
“Take It Outside DMV adapts the best of early education experiences in the great outdoors, where so many children do their best exploration and free play. My kids thrived in their first year with Take It Outside DMV as Libby prepared learning opportunities for their different levels of development each week. As a participating parent, I enjoyed the camaraderie of being with the group as well and look forward to seeing the friends we made outside of class all year round."
-Mary B.
"It’s been amazing watching our daughter grow and flourish with Ms Libby. She started out quite shy but is now more confident and so excited to go to school! We can’t think Ms Libby enough for this warm and inviting environment she has created for the kids to learn and play!"
-Jessica T.
“Our daughter, Aleena, blossomed beautifully with Libby. Over the course of a year, she not only had immense fun with her peers, but we also observed her growth and increased independence with each visit as she learned and explored outdoors. For caregivers seeking a nurturing environment that encourages child-led adventures, Libby's setup is an unparalleled find!”
-Megan D.
“We have loved our time with Ms. Libby! She has provided a wonderful space for each of my children to work on the skills most appropriate for them-whether that's working up the courage to participate in group discussions, self-restraint to wait for a turn, or just getting used to being around other children. My kids love the variety of new and hands-on activities--but also love the familiar routine with time to just run and play. Having a safe and forgiving space to work on social skills (that can be a little loud/awkward/ uncomfortable at first!) with my kids is something I have truly valued. ”
-Adrienne R.