Bundle of All Together on the Trail Series: 5 Sessions

A light dinner is included in the price and will be served at 5:45pm as we enter the workshop.

9 Ohio Approved Hours if all events are attended.  If you are unable to attend one of the evenings, you will just forfit the hours for that night.

Exploring the Power in Learning Outdoors! By exploring the power in learning outdoors, we will discover the rationale and research supporting creating nature connections and enhancing child development by moving outdoors as much as possible. Participants will establish their own connections and identify roadblocks with working with children outdoors.

Harnessing the Power of all our Senses Outdoors Beyond just the usual five senses, we'll explore how our body, emotions, and brain are all activated when we spend time learning outdoors. This fun and invigorating session will walk participants through these benefits as well!

Evaluating Risk & Hazards in the Outdoors What is safe? In this practical session, we'll explore some definitions in the context of early childhood care and education in regards to licensing and best practice. Participants will find that this training merges nicely with Conscious Discipline and will prepare them to bring back conversations to their center or agency.

Teacher & Child Skills for Risks found Outdoors When we work outdoors with natural materials either in the outdoor classroom or in natural areas, there will be opportunity for developmentally appropriate risks. This training will help participants see the link between both social emotional skills and executive function in these natural environments. We will learn how to anticipate and plan for engaging with natural materials and phenomenon.

Outdoor Classroom Landscape Analysis & Design Teachers, Family Providers, and Administrators will examine the current outdoor spaces at their center or home, analyze the positives for nature play, troubleshoot negative aspects to the current set up, and think creatively about additions. Practical and low cost solutions will be suggested and resources shared.

Optimizing Learning in Your Outdoor Playspace Discover amazing ways to take learning outside and to begin thinking of your playground as an Outdoor Classroom! An emphasis on play and loose parts will be enjoyed by participants while we discuss how working outdoors offers creative and beneficial ways to access mental health, cognitive, and social-emotional support. Practical ideas are shared in order to take action right away, while also planning long term on how to utilize the outdoor spaces more.

The Low Down on Fall & Winter Slow Down Participants will explore how Developmentally Appropriate Practice meets Fall Phenology (the cycles of the climate, plants and animals) in the Ohio hedge, meadow, and forest. This content-rich workshop will have participants immersed in literacy, trail games, math activity with natural items, tracking (reading symbols!), science information, song and dance. Come ready to play and learn!

What's in your backpack? Stakeholders, Roadblocks, Advocacy-Oh My! So now you are ready to move your teaching practice outside more, but you may have experienced a lack of support or things that seem insurmountable. We'll co-create lists of resources (time, treasure, and talent) to help support your next step. Participants will also be invited to join the nature-based community to help you and/or your center forward into the new year. The one hour of Ohio Approved training will be followed by a make and take handicraft and celebration of the completion of our trail together.

Your instructor, Meredith Florkey, has fifteen years of experience in the field including: founding and operating nature preschools, coaching preK-2nd nature-based education in public and private sectors, as well as grant writing for these programs. In addition to varied education degrees including a Leadership & Advocacy ECE certificate and completing a Masters in Nature-Based ECE this fall, Meredith serves on the Miami Valley Leave No Child Inside Collaborative and the Ohio Nature-Based ECE Collaborative.