Freebies!
Free resources related to nature-based early childhood education
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.
Porch play chat: The nature continuum
In this video, Dr. Rachel Larimore discusses that nature-based education is a continuum. It is not all or nothing.
It's science too!
Natural history is important science. Natural history is the science children are engaging with every day in nature-based programs!
Nature-Based Emergent Curriculum: The Power of Place for Planning
This recorded edWebinar, presented by Dr. Rachel Larimore,
Experiences rather than activties
An "activity” is a very teacher-led, scripted interaction with a clear structure and intended outcome. Whereas an "experience" is an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone.
Child-led play
One goal of nature-based early childhood education is to support children’s holistic development. The way we do this is by emphasizing two key elements of early childhood education: 1) Play-based and 2) Child-led.
Planning for Earth Day
Even on special days like Earth Day we want to keep things as play-based and child-led as possible.
Enjoying the easy weather
As the weather gets “easier,” I encourage you to spend even more of your day outdoors. Establishing a clear routine and a rich learning space will make the experience much, much better for everyone!
Whining or communicating a need?
There are times where young children may sound like they’re whining, but they’re really communicating a need. It’s our job as nature-based early childhood teachers to figure out what it is they need.
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.