Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Corinne Matovich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Corinne, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

It is said, “Before we ever put a pencil in a child’s hands, those hands should dig, climb, press, pull, squish, twist, and pinch in a wide array of environments and with a variety of materials” (Amanda Morgan). Rad Roots is a culmination of all of the lessons I have learned in the realm of caring for children in early childhood. We are gently supporting the steady growth of their sturdy and deep roots to hold their later growth in life. The Waldorf philosophy supports this notion that the first years are about children coming into their physical body, before they expand intellectually. Rad Roots comes from a place of conscious care in nurturing childhood roots of exploration, child-empowerment, and giving them the autonomy to know they are standing on their own two feet as they develop. The Rad in Rad Roots Nature School comes from the relatable joy and personality of educators who children feel safe, light, and supported by. Rad comes from the absolutely inspiring local environments children bond with and learn about. Wonder, curiosity, and joy are fostered through inspiration and autonomous learning and exploration!

Corinne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Rad Roots Nature School is a community of loving people who want the best for their wildlings. Children are supported in an outdoor environment to climb, dig, plant seeds, and eat wildflowers! It is an answer to the question, “What is the gentlest transition for my child from home to school?” Our philosophy is that of listening to children, learning to set boundaries, fostering loving respect, wonder, and curiosity. In a classroom with no walls, the learning opportunities are boundless! In a learner-led environment we may not limit or direct our child’s first experiences in a learning environment. Growing outside among the wildflowers, through the seasons, with small groups to give time and space to address all sensitivities.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As I started my business, I had a bootstrap idealism that I had to take care of everything myself. I had been telling myself this story that if I could not do every little thing, I was incompetent. The unlearning of this lesson came to fruition at our first community bonfire potluck. So much help was offered to me from beautiful guardians, and I said, “no thank you, I’v got it! No worries!!” Come the potluck- I am sweating trying to start the fire in the wind, candles are blowing out, I am carrying everything making so many trips to my car as I arrived before everyone. Finally, I softened and accepted help in maintaining the fire, and lighting the candles, and making food for the next potluck. Through loving conversation and support, I realized that accepting help is not admitting defeat!! Community has become the backbone of Rad Roots and I am so incredibly grateful to feel supported in mission and in heart. Sometimes the world hardens you, but the most beautiful and emotional moments are the ones that soften you.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Books:

Coyote Mentoring by Jon Young
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Poems:

“Wild Geese” Mary Oliver

“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

Excerpt:

“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

“Invitation” by Mary Oliver

“Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.radrootsnatureschool.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radrootsnatureschool/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069680797642

Image Credits
Anna Fahrenkrog @annarose8mm www.annarose8mm.com