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Free resources related to 自然-based early childhood education
的 power of 1 peach tree
A home provider recently shared this story 与 me about the peach tree in her backyard. She went on to describe the pure joy the 孩子们 experienced in eating the peaches they had watched for so long, and I want to share it 与 you now.
Connecting the learning across all three spaces
You’ve heard me talk about the three spaces of the Inside, Outside, and Beyond. While the spaces themselves are important, what brings 自然-based pedagogy to life is how we use those spaces.
Still the classroom
By considering the types of play opportunities available, we can shift toward the outdoor play space truly serving as an extension of the classroom where teachers are as engaged in supporting 孩子们’s play as they are indoors.
Preparing the indoor classroom
的 start of the school year is typically when we tend to purchase the most consumable supplies, 设备, toys for our indoor classroom space. I want you to maximize your money by being intentional about the materials you choose so they encourage deep learning and hopefully learning 与 自然.
Clear hiring is kind
“清楚就是善良。”.” It’s a phrase Brené Brown uses often and it’s one of my favorites–particularly when it comes to hiring staff. And for many in the northern hemisphere, right now is the height of hiring between the end and beginning of the school years.
Play area clarifications
As the 自然-based education movement grows there are more and more playgrounds that look natural, but function the same as a traditional playground–与 few choices for play, minimal loose parts, and heavy emphasis on physical play rather than a mix of play types.
Belonging through onboarding
的 onboarding process should create a sense of belonging. New staff should feel they belong and are part of the team while also feeling they can be their authentic selves as a member of the team.
Enjoy this time of year
Spring is a GLORIOUS time in a 自然-based program! Yes, it’s busy and chaotic. But, if we are mindful we are able to enjoy the wonders of this season.
Explicit expectations
If expectations don’t match reality we can experience resentment, 挫折, and a myriad of other emotions. It’s for this reason it’s important to be clear about our expectations–to ourselves and to others involved.
Awe and wonder in your classroom
Awe and wonder are two words I use a lot when discussing 自然-based education. 最近, I listened to a podcast which opened my eyes to even more types of awe and wonder in the world – including the early childhood classroom.
Connecting to place
One of the core principles of 自然-based education is connecting 孩子们 to local, 真实的大自然. This means connecting them to the 自然 found in their place in the world.