What to Know

Children ages 2–10 from homeschool and preschool-age families across southern Prince George’s County and northeast Charles County, MD, and nearby Alexandria, VA, including Fort Washington, Oxon Hill, National Harbor, Accokeek, Clinton, Temple Hills, Forest Heights, Friendly, Potomac Heights, Bryans Road, Indian Head, Bennsville, Pomfret, White Plains, La Plata, Waldorf and Brandywine. Younger and older siblings are welcome to tag along free of charge.

Our classes are semi-structured and secular, with weekly themes centered on science and our local ecosystem, plus a splash of history, social studies, survival skills and English, with free play woven in between.

No. One caregiver per family attends every class. Caregivers guide their own children as needed and learn the lesson alongside them, so it can be reinforced at home. Remote workers are welcome, and families help one another out.

In rotating public parks, trails and playgrounds within about 30 minutes of Tantallon North in Fort Washington, MD. Exact addresses are shared directly with registered families after sign-up is complete, for everyone’s security.

We run year-round in seasons. This fall, Backyard Classroom meets Mondays and Nature Classroom meets Fridays, 11 AM–1:30 PM. See this season’s programs for dates, and join the email list to hear about upcoming seasons first.

Backyard Classroom is a membership-based program, not a free program. Families choose a season membership (or a single drop-in class) and pay online, then complete a short registration form. If you’re in a difficult season of life, please reach out to Ms. Pari’ to see if she can help with financial solutions.

It takes two quick steps: 1) choose your membership and pay on the Join the Club section, and 2) fill out the registration form that opens automatically after payment. You’ll receive a calendar invite with the address and intro info within 1–2 days.

Yes! The membership price automatically drops for each class that has already happened, so you only pay for the rest of the season. The reduced price is shown on the site and applied at checkout.

Yes. Drop-in classes are available through November, and if you join for the season afterward, your drop-in payment goes toward your membership. From December, the season’s reduced membership price is the best way to join.

Yes. Each sibling saves 25% or more, siblings under 2 are free, and the 4th child and up are half price. Email us for a custom link for 4 or more children.

As a small, one-woman program, every membership directly supports materials, planning and keeping class sizes small, and each season is planned around its enrollment, so memberships are non-refundable.

Missed a class? Your Friday make-up pass or Bring-a-Friend pass may help you make the most of your season. And if something comes up, please reach out. Ms. Pari’ is always happy to talk through options like transferring your spot to another family.

That’s pretty normal for toddlers and shy younger children. Just give them time and let them be kids! Every class has a play-based lesson and game plan, but many children take the materials and invent their own ideas, need to watch for a while first, or run off to explore and come back to spy on everyone.

Caregivers are encouraged to gently guide children back to the group and help with the activity (Ms. Pari’ will too), but kids often move on their own time. When caregivers sit and engage with the group, even if their own child isn’t there yet, it builds trust and shows hesitant kids that the group is safe. Pushing hard or punishing doesn’t help. Instead, try sparking their interest by mentioning something we’re doing that they might love.

Getting comfortable with a group takes time, which is one more reason we encourage families to attend as often as possible, or better yet, join for the whole season. And your child is probably still listening and soaking it all in. You may see it later in class, later that day, next week, or never!

“Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – James Baldwin

Please have everyone use the bathroom before you arrive. Most parks have bathrooms or porta-potties, but they may not be open or nearby for the entire class. Ms. Pari’ keeps a small portable potty in her car for potty-training toddlers, and anyone is welcome to use it. Just ask!

It’s rare, but if it happens you’ll hear first in the Backyard Classroom Crew Telegram group (you’ll get the link when you join) and then by email, with at least 1.5 hours’ notice (and usually much more). Check one of them the morning of class before you head out!

Yes! Just let Ms. Pari’ know ahead of time. She can share any food allergies in the group, and please remember that we don’t allow artificial food dyes.

Please share any allergies or medical needs on the registration form. When a child has a food allergy, families may be asked not to pack that food in snacks, though an allergen-free environment can’t be guaranteed outdoors. We also don’t allow artificial food dyes in class snacks.

We sometimes learn about wild edible plants and may taste small amounts, always with the caregiver’s permission. Children should never eat wild plants without an adult’s approval.

Within one day, members receive supplementary resources for that week’s lesson, for all age ranges, by email. Have a great resource or idea to share? Share it with the group on Telegram or send it to Ms. Pari’ so she can share it with the Crew. It’s always appreciated!

When you join, you’ll get a link to the Backyard Classroom Crew, our families’ Telegram group. It’s where class updates are posted, and where families chat and plan impromptu park meetups and play dates between classes.

Email HerNameIsPARI@gmail.com, or message us on Facebook or Instagram.