Nature-Based Emergent Curriculum: The Power of Place for Planning

Early education program leaders around the world are becoming more enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many educators find themselves wanting to jump in wholeheartedly. Yet, it’s not always clear where to start or what even counts as “nature.” When planning, we can consider how we bring nature inside, how we accomplish curricular goals outside, and how we connect children’s learning across the three spaces of the Inside, Outside, and Beyond.

This edWebinar first explores the fundamental principles of the nature-based approach. Then, Dr. Rachel Larimore explores how we can live these principles in day-to-day teaching practices—especially if the goal is an emergent curriculum rooted in play and children’s interests. By focusing on the seasonal events that occur in our local place in the world, we can intentionally integrate nature into teaching practice—no matter our current situation. This session addresses the theory and specific strategies related to:

• Identifying predictable natural and cultural events from year to year

• Preparing the physical environment to facilitate nature play

• Making more intentional connections between outdoor and indoor learning

• Preparing teacher-led activities that build off of children’s experiences and interests

Viewers leave this edWebinar with tangible ideas that can be implemented the next day as well as some ideas that can be worked toward into the future. This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-3 teachers and school leaders.