Nature-based Learning Environments: What Every Early Childhood Program Leader Needs to Know, by Rachel A. Larimore, Ph.D.

Sponsored by Community Playthings

Nature-based learning is growing in popularity, particularly in the time of COVID. Yet, many find themselves looking for strategies to integrate nature into the preschool curriculum in meaningful and intentional ways. One area of program development that is foundational for children’s play and teacher-child interactions is the physical environment. Statements like “bring nature inside” or “go outside” oversimplify things and don’t address the pedagogy around nature-based education. Further, these phrases don’t address HOW to bring nature in or take advantage of nature outside.

This webinar, presented by author and nature-based learning expert Rachel Larimore, will help early childhood administrators identify the principles fundamental to a nature-based approach. Then, using a continuum of nature-based early childhood education as the overarching framework, Rachel will address the unique considerations for designing a nature-based classroom. We’ll discuss the spaces inside, outside, and beyond the fence. Additionally, we’ll discuss the other supporting spaces that help make for successful nature-based learning.

In this session we’ll discuss the theory and specific strategies related to:

• Preparing the indoor classroom

• Shifting the outdoor classroom to a more natural play area

• Utilizing spaces beyond the fence of the play area

• Considerations for supporting spaces (e.g., extra gear storage)

• Adhering to licensing regulations while implementing a nature-based approach

Objectives:

Participants will be able to...

• Describe the core principles of a nature-based early childhood approach

• List at least two important components of the indoor environment for nature-based learning

• Describe at least two important components of the outdoor environment for nature-based learning

All sessions are 1.5 hours long, and include a brief announcement from our sponsor. 2:oo PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time. To ensure you receive confirmation and reminder emails, add [email protected] to your contacts list. If you do not receive your email confirmation, check your Spam or Junk mail folders in your email system. Can’t participate in our webinars at the appointed time? Never fear! All of the webinars are recorded. To view the recording, simply register now and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed. You can still download the certificate by watching the recording to the end when the certificate link is announced and displayed on the screen.

Regardless of when you register, only 3,000 people at one time can attend our webinars. Only the first 3,000 people to click the link to attend the webinar will be able to join. We start the webinars 30 minutes in advance of the start time. Arrive early to make sure you get in.

Please be advised that you will only be eligible for the great door prizes if you participate in the live session.

You can earn .2 CEUs for each webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. Learn more here: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from University of Oklahoma See the schedule of upcoming webinars.