Freebies!
Free resources related to nature-based early childhood education
Nature-based Learning Doesn’t Need a Forest
In this podcast, Dr. Rachel Larimore in interviewed by Rusty Keeler—a natural playscape designer. In this episode they talk about helping children build real relationships with the natural world, even when a school does not have a forest, a fancy outdoor classroom, or a flock of woodland creatures waiting at the gate.
Reimagining Early Childhood Education to Embrace Nature-Based Learning
In this action-focused webinar designed for program leaders and administrators, experienced early childhood nature-based program leader and author Dr. Rachel Larimore will share her Trail Map for Leading Change—an approach for inspiring and supporting staff as they move toward nature-based teaching.
NonProfit or For-Profit? Finding the Best Path for Your Program
In this webinar, nature-based early childhood education consultants Dr. Rachel Larimore and David Catlin discuss the pros and cons of being a nonprofit versus a for-profit nature-based school or program.
Beyond the Fence: Navigating Risk and Safety in Nature-Based Early Learning
In this webinar Dr. Rachel Larimore, Samara’s Chief Visionary, focuses on Site Assessments, Benefit-Risk Assessments, and Detailed Protocols to ensure children and teachers have safe outdoor experiences.
Reimagining the Roles of Nature-based Teachers
In this webinar, Drs. Rachel Larimore and Claire Warden discuss the many roles that nature-based educators play in implementing nature-based pedagogy in the early years.
Leading Nature-based Teaching: Prepare yourself to prepare your staff for the transition to an outdoor program
In this webinar Dr. Rachel Larimore, Samara’s founder, focuses on the many social-emotional factors that impact your ability to lead change toward a nature-based teaching approach.
The Outdoor Classrooms podcast: Interview with Dr. Rachel Larimore & Dr. Claire Warden
In this podcast, the host of Outdoor Classrooms speaks with Dr. Rachel A. Larimore & Dr. Claire Warden to explore their groundbreaking perspectives on weaving nature into educational practices to spark curiosity and engagement.
Naturally Teaching Elementary Science podcast: Interview with Dr. Rachel Larimore
In this podcast, the host of Naturally Teaching Elementary Science hosts Dr. Rachel A. Larimore to discuss the NAture-Based Education Rating Scales (NABERS), and the important and varied roles teachers play in implementing and maintaining quality programs.
We’re in it together—Team teaching in early childhood
Every single adult in any classroom matters. They impact the children, the other adults, and interactions with families. Everyone matters.
Trail Map for Leading Change
Leading change in nature-based early childhood education cs difficult. And slow. This means that whether you’re an administrative leader or a classroom leader, it can be a daunting, frustrating task to inspire others toward the nature-based approach.
Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to help children learn with nature
In this webinar Dr. Rachel Larimore, Samara’s founder, focuses on the steps to support your team to make the shift to a nature-based approach—and keep them happy and inspired along the way.
Inspiring Change Toward Nature-based Teaching
If we want others to move toward nature-based early chitdhood teaching our only effective option is to inspire.
Evaluating Natureness: Community & family engagement
Family engagement and community partnerships are areas of nature-based education that sometimes get overlooked, but are important components for a thriving program. Let’s look at each…
Evaluating Natureness: Quality comes from the people
Remember, nature-based pedagogy is a collection of practices. All of these practices are ultimately influenced or implemented by administrators and teachers.
Evaluating Natureness: Collection of practices
Can we call ourselves nature-based?
I often hear this from early childhood educators. My response? Nature-based education is a collection of practices that prioritize children’s experiences learning with nature.
Don’t let regulations spook you
Whether you’re contemplating starting a school or you have a school and are considering integrating more nature-based approaches, at some point you’ve probably had thoughts about regulations.
Clear hiring is kind
“Clear is kind.” 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.
Not fun, necessary
Policies and procedures. Probably not your favorite topic, eh? It’s not my favorite either.
Belonging through onboarding
The 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.
Explicit expectations
If expectations don’t match reality we can experience resentment, frustration, 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.