Pause, Ponder, Play: The Power of Time in Nature-Based Learning by Dr. Rachel Larimore

In the fast-paced world of early childhood education, time often feels like the one thing we never have enough of. As nature-based approaches become more common in early childhood education, this session invites us to pause and consider the deep impact of time on nature-based teaching and learning.

Dr. Larimore will guide you through an exploration of essential questions: Are we giving children the time they need to play, notice, fail and try again, build relationships, be still, and just be? How does our own relationship with time—whether we’re clock watchers or flow followers—influence our work and children’s experiences?

We’ll explore the quantitative and qualitative aspects of time, what time allows for in children’s learning, our relationship with time on any given day, and how that relationship impacts our interactions with children. Ultimately, we’ll reframe the common refrain of “there’s never enough time” and explore how slowing down can lead to deeper connections with nature, ourselves, and each other.

Come be inspired to embrace a slower pace in your classroom and support children’s holistic development through nature-based play.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the quantitative and qualitative aspects of time in nature-based teaching and learning.

2. List at least three things time allows for in children’s nature-based learning.

3. Describe ways to support more time for play during the class day.