Learning in Nature: Establishing Outdoor Care and Education

A Guided Online Course with Cynthia Aldinger

Starting April 3rd for four weeks
Live Zoom Q&A April 25th, 7-8pm Central

For the same course offered completely in Spanish, Educando en la Naturaleza with Marielle Sestier of LifeWays America Latina, please visit here.

With the strengthening power of fresh air and the elements of nature, more time outdoors can be an elixir for adults and children in early childhood programs! This online course will explore the elements of an outdoor program founded on relationship-based care and the Living Arts, whether you are creating a program from scratch or simply incorporating more outdoor time into your existing program.

Time in a natural outdoor setting has so many benefits for children: fostering wonder, encouraging natural observation, building resilience and health, nourishing the senses, and promoting relationships. Recent events have led many early childhood professionals and parents to explore the possibilities of offering expanded outdoor opportunities.

**Early childhood educators and care providers may earn a certificate for 15 CE hours through their active participation in and completion of the course by May 1st, 2024.

 

How Will This Course Work?

Cynthia will guide you in exploring the outdoor experiences you can create for the children in your care through four modules that are released each Wednesday. You can work on the lessons within each module at your own pace, and at the times which work best for you.

Lessons are multimedia- utilizing videos, new written material, links to related reading, and suggestions for further resources. Each module concludes with an open discussion about the lesson content; and because it is guided, this means dialogue will emerge that is unique to this course offering and this group of students. There will be much to discover and to share!

Lastly, you are invited to bring questions and discussion to our wrap-up Zoom Q&A session with Cynthia on Thursday, April 25th 7-8 pm Central. This is an optional session and is not required for CE credit, and anyone who is enrolled will receive a recording of the session in case they are not able to attend. The recording will be available for viewing for one month after release.

Details of Course Content

Week One: Relationship-based Care in the Outdoors

Why is outdoor exploration and learning beneficial? We’ll explore several types of outdoor environments for inspiration – childcare settings, preschool/kindergarten classes, and parent-child programs.

Week Two: Outdoor Environments

What are the practical and inspirational aspects of a nourishing, safe and engaging outdoor environment whether part-day or all day?

Week Three: Bringing the Living Arts Outdoors

We’ll explore how to offer the foundations of practical activity, nurturing care, creative exploration and social awareness in an outdoor setting, as well as establishing a healthy rhythm that builds resilience and wellness.

Week Four: Health and Safety

In week four, we’ll discuss how to offer a safe environment outdoors. We’ll explore not only physical safety but also soul safety, and the safety provided within the context of relationship-based care. Licensing and other regulatory concerns will also be addressed.

About the Instructor

Cynthia Aldinger is founder of LifeWays North America, dedicated to the support of healthy early childhood programs and parenting practices. Author of Life is the Curriculum and co-author of Home Away From Home, Cynthia has lectured and presented internationally and directed trainings and seminars across the United States. She served fourteen years on the board of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America and received her Waldorf teaching certificate at Emerson College in Sussex, England. A mother and grandmother, Cynthia’s passion is the preservation of the playful spirit of childhood and helping to create early childhood environments that provide the comfort, security and activities found in a healthy home.

Register for This Course

$150 each, or $120 each for groups of five or more.

**After purchasing, you will be sent to a “Thank You” page that will give you a link to register in Zoom and/or Ruzuku. This step must be completed in order to participate in the course or workshop.

For this course you will also receive a link to the FREE video, “Forest Kindergarten” featuring an outdoor program at LifeWays Early Childhood Center in Milwaukee, WI.

Refund Policy: Fees will be refunded in full up to 7 days prior to the start of the course, and at 50% if student cancels enrollment less than a week in advance. Fees are nonrefundable after the start of the course.

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**After purchasing, you will be sent to a “Thank You” page that will give you a link to register in Zoom and/or Ruzuku. This step must be completed in order to participate in the course or workshop.