Heidi Smart
Welcome! I'm so glad you're here! I’m an unschooling mom to 3 energetic boys and the creator of Little Golden Grove.
Our days are deeply child-led, filled with outdoor exploration, big feelings, Jiu Jitsu, music, and the everyday work of learning how to be human together.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management with a minor in Psychology. I've spent years studying experiential learning and the science of how we process emotions.
But my most important research happens right here in the mud and chaos of parenthood. I use my background to create nature-based tools that help families navigate social-emotional skills through play rather than lectures.
It all Started with a Bee
Little Golden Grove began one afternoon in the yard, when my son was panicking about a bee. To help him through the fear, I offered a simple perspective shift:
“To that tiny bee, you must look like a giant!”
That single moment changed everything. I realized that nature is the perfect mirror for our emotions. That insight didn't just calm my son; it inspired a growing collection of resources, from emotion card decks to ecosystem games, designed to help children (and parents) explore fear, courage, and empathy.
What you'll find here
Many unschooling families are already supporting social-emotional learning, often without calling it that. I'm here to help you name what’s happening and offer tools that fit seamlessly into real life.
Here you’ll find:
🌿 Nature-Inspired Games: Science and SEL tools like our Nature Lab ecosystem simulations.
❤️ Emotional Regulation Tools: Resources like our 52-card emotion deck to help kids name and tame their feelings.
📚 Reflections: Real-talk on fear, connection, and the wild ride of raising humans.
The Dream
Right now, Little Golden Grove lives in stories and shared ideas.
One day, we hope it will also be a real place - land filled with bees, sunflowers, and peach trees, where creativity, kindness, and community can grow.
Until then, we’re growing together.
Thanks for being here. 🌻
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