At A Wilder Harmony, we didn’t operate by the clock, but we did have rhythm. Our days unfolded with a natural flow—rituals, songs, and shared experiences that gave shape to the time we spent together. Harmony wasn’t imposed; it emerged. It rose and fell like breath, like tides, like moon phases. And when space was made for dissonance—pain, struggle, conflict—harmony returned with deeper resonance. But harmony didn’t mean letting go of leadership. In fact, it required it. We u

If harmony is a human need, then it must also be a foundation—something we build upon, not just aspire to. In my years of working with children outdoors, I saw how harmony wasn’t just a musical concept—it was a living condition that made everything else possible. Whether we were gathering under redwoods, exploring tide pools, or singing together in open air, harmony allowed children to feel connected, curious, and free to engage with the world around them. When harmony was pr

After a long pause, I’m returning to share reflections from a journey that began in the forest—shaped by music, motherhood, and a deep commitment to healing and education. A Wilder Harmony began as an outdoor preschool, rooted in nature and community—but it has always been more than a program. It’s a philosophy rooted in the belief that harmony is not a luxury, but a necessity. Whether guiding children through music, navigating my forty-year marriage, or engaging in the work

We are living in a time of deep division—politically, culturally, even within families. The noise is constant, the stakes feel high, and the temptation to retreat into our corners is strong. But what if there’s another way to be together? What if harmony isn’t about agreement, but about the courage to stay in relationship across difference? What if it’s not just a musical idea, but the soil we grow in—the invisible condition that makes learning, healing, and connection possib

When counterwill serves your child’s unique self, it can arise in response to their secure relationship with you, when all is well. When...

If you’re running into a lot of counterwill, it could be a sign that your child generally needs to feel a more secure connection with you....

Remember our messy status update from last time? (Refer to “Journey to Stop 3” for an explanation of the alpha instinct.) “When both our...

You’re not alone. Read on… (Continuing from the last 2 blog posts exploring the human instinct of counterwill...) Here’s the thing. Have...

Journey to Stop 2: Counterwill keeps strangers out of the way while challenging us to love more. As I mentioned in “Journey to Stop 1,”...

Journey to Stop 1: You mean there’s a word for that?? Have your amazing, cherished children ever raged against some of your most...

One of my favorite sensory experiences is the sight of sunlight sparkling on dewdrops. I was in paradise the day after our recent storm....

By Lisa Allen While walking back to meet arriving parents, “Sky” was moving slower than the rest of the group, and not as directly toward...

By Lisa Allen A system is a set of interrelated elements that make a unified whole. Systems are everywhere. Our solar system is a...

By Lisa Allen My job with children is to weave together experiences that lead to richer experiences. I've been inspired by Experience and...

As I developed a different approach to teaching children, influenced by mindfulness, non-violent communication and organic intelligence,...

In my own nature exploration I started to clear the dead wood on my family's property and as I brought it together it began to take a...