Past Webinar Topics

Nurturing Communication in Your Learning Community
Open lines of communication are essential to ensuring that families feel safe and excited about bring their children to your program. Staff need open communication to feel heard, appreciated and empowered to give their all. Children need our examples and, plenty of opportunities, to communicate their wants and needs, too. This webinar examines some of the unique aspects of communication in a nature-based program and offers several strategies to improve upon your structure. 

Loose Parts, Props, and Tools
Yes, all the elements for meaningful learning are already right there in nature with no enhancement needed. But if you want to facilitate skill development in specific ways, then loose parts, tools and props can supplement outdoor learning experiences. This webinar explores a plethora of materials, tools and props with corresponding activities and processes that you will want to try! 

The Value of Natural Play Spaces       
There is a rich history of natural play spaces the world over. This webinar offers a survey of natural play spaces with a deeper look at substantial skill development linked with outdoor play. Research from academic sources will be offered throughout. If you want to know more about the proven value of natural play spaces, or if you need more talking points for parents, fellow colleagues or grants, this is great place to begin.

Water Play with Young Children
The water cycle is a time-honored topic that early childhood educators share with young children. But how? Another water cycle mobile? This webinar emphasizes how water brings the senses to life as young children discover the states of matter, aquatic habitats, and weather through experiential (wet!) outdoor play. See free webinar here.

Back to [Nature] School Basics
Heading back to nature preschool? Join us for a webinar that will explore specific items you'll want to address with children, parents, and teachers. Brush up on policies, routines, and materials that will help everyone get back into the nature preschool groove! If you're establishing a new program, this webinar offers great insight about the basics.  

Naturally Ready for Kindergarten (four modules)

This self-guided course offers a comprehensive look at essential skill development for young children as they prepare to enter more formal learning environments like public school. We examine the many ways that skill development abounds across the developmental domains in nature-based early childhood programs.  Four modules identify and explore how we can nurture physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development -- including a lasting love of nature. Each module provides supplemental activities for educators and caregivers and ways to support family engagement. Course includes 6 hour training certificate.