Essential Elements of Leading a Nature-based Early Childhood Program, by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore

Sponsored by Samara Early Learning.

It’s finally happening: Early education program leaders around the world are becoming more enthusiastic and enlightened about the benefits of nature-based programs. Many programs are beginning to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organizations as well as the practice of individual teachers is incredibly challenging. After all, we’re leading humans! Some of the challenges that result are very individual responses to be outdoors—not enjoying the cold, preferring not to be dirty, etc. Additionally, there can be administrative challenges related to policies, procedures, funding, and licensing. There are also pedagogical leadership challenges in supporting teachers to intentionally integrate nature into the daily structure, physical environment, and teacher-led activities. Join experienced early childhood nature-based program leader and author, Rachel Larimore to learn to address these various challenges. This webinar, designed to support program leaders and administrators, will share the core principles and benefits of a nature-based approach. With that common language as a starting point, Rachel will address the foundational administrative and pedagogical practices to successfully shift your team to a nature-based approach. Most importantly, Rachel will address an often-overlooked element of leading change—the human element, including how to best support staff and families in your evolving infusion of nature.

In this session we’ll discuss how to:

• Recognize the role we as leaders play in leading change

• Establish policies and procedures which support change

• Secure resources for safe and effective nature-based learning

• Support teachers in taking small actions to shift their practice to include more nature

• Recognize and address the very real human reactions to implementing nature-based education

Join us to:

1) list the core principles of a nature-based early childhood approach

2) describe the Inside/Outside/Beyond as a social-emotional metaphor for leading people

3) list at least two important administrative leadership components of nature-based education

4) list at least two important pedagogical leadership components of nature-based education

All sessions are 1.5 hours long and include a brief announcement from our sponsor. 2:oo PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time. To ensure you receive confirmation and reminder emails, add [email protected] to your contacts list. If you do not receive your email confirmation, check your Spam or Junk mail folders in your email system. Can’t participate in our webinars at the appointed time? Never fear! All of the webinars are recorded. To view the recording, simply register now and you will receive an email with a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed. You can still download the certificate by watching the recording to the end when the certificate link is announced and displayed on the screen.

Only 3,000 people at one time can attend our webinars, but registration often tops 4,000. Only the first 3,000 people to click the link to attend the webinar will be able to get in. We start the webinars 30 minutes in advance of the start time. Arrive early to make sure you get in.

Please be advised that you will only be eligible for the great door prizes if you participate in the live session.

You can earn .2 CEUs for each webinar. The cost is $15 paid to University of Oklahoma online when you apply. Learn more here: Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from University of Oklahoma See the schedule of upcoming webinars.