SAN DIEGO — In April, ECS Head Start had the opportunity to partner with the Empathy in Nature Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social-emotional, nature-based preschool education. As a result of this collaboration, an "Empathy Garden" was created at Highland Head Start in National City.
North end of the Highland Head Start Empathy Garden where children will connect with nature and watch the garden grow. April 2023.
This outdoor learning environment provides children with the opportunity to explore and play in nature, fostering a love of the environment and promoting social-emotional development. The garden's opening was attended by Head Start staff and supporters, who were thrilled to see the fruits of their labor. They were able to walk around and explore the garden, which is filled with various natural elements that encourage curiosity and discovery.
Thanks to the Empathy in Nature Project and their partnership with ECS Head Start, children now have access to a safe and inclusive space to connect with nature and learn valuable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. The "Empathy Garden" is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of providing children with accessible and inclusive high-quality early childhood education.
VP of Administration Hazzy Pipo, Interim Head Start Director Linda Borja, Head Start District Manager Nerissa Torralba, Area Supervisor Joan Borgonia, Family Engagement Specialist Heidi Avent, and the Empathy in Nature Project team members gather for a picture next to a treasure chest donated to Highland Head Start full of teaching materials. April 2023.