Image 1 of 1
Join Dr. Rachel Larimore for in-person conversation and connection!
There are many components to nature-based early childhood education, including excursions to wild spaces beyond the fenced play area. What is the purpose of experiences in the “beyond” and how does this align with our broader nature-based goals and philosophy? Are we providing children with activities that align with these goals?
This workshop will be a day of connection and conversation with fellow nature-based educators to explore our current practices and how we can move away from learning in or about nature and toward more learning with nature. To do this we’ll consider the structure of our time, the physical environment, and our teacher-child interactions. We’ll also discuss how we integrate those experiences in the beyond into other aspects of the day.
This will be a time to reflect, problem-solve, and ask questions rooted in your own experience—not another passive, one-way professional learning session. As such, there will be limited presentation time and the majority of the time will be a combination of whole- and small-group experiences and conversations facilitated by Dr. Rachel Larimore.
This is not a sit-and-get event. Whether you’re new to nature-based education or have been doing it for a long time, a space where your voice matters, your wisdom is valued, and your growth is supported.
The goal of this workshop is for you to find solutions to your pressing challenges, connect with other nature-based educators, and leave reenergized and more deeply rooted in your purpose as an educator.
Please note, this session is appropriate for all nature-based educators whether you identify as a nature-based preschool, forest preschool, center- or home-based program, and so forth. Essentially, if you believe in the power of nature as a teacher then this is a space for you!
Thanks to our hosts, Barnacles & Bees, based in Bremerton, WA.
About Rachel Larimore
Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, consultant, speaker, researcher, and author. Her work focuses on the intentional integration of nature to support young children’s holistic development by learning with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. She has written multiple books including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, and Evaluating Nature: Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade. Her newest book is Reimagine the Role of Teachers in Nature-based learning: Helping Children be Curious, Confident, and Caring. Rachel is the founder and Chief Visionary of Samara Early Learning, an organization focused on helping early childhood educators start nature-based schools or add nature-based approaches into their existing program. Prior to founding Samara, she spent more than a decade starting and directing one of the first nature-based preschools in the United States.