This winter, Virtual Nature School wants to help educators plan for and execute the best winter experience for children aged 2 to 11. The benefits of a nature-based education are well documented, but many educators find winter to be a difficult time of the year to be outside with children.
Our "Best Winter EVER" program is designed to help educators appreciate all the benefits that winter presents for nature-based learning and adopt an opportunities mindset toward all that winter has to offer.
The structure of the program can be understood in 5 simple steps:
Step 1: All the planning is done for you
Receive 12 weeks' worth of inspirational provocations, ideas and activity prompts that will simplify your planning & motivate both children and educators to explore nature during the winter months and beyond.
It's all open-ended, child-led, and inquiry & interest-based. This responsive planning program is easily adapted to your existing curriculum and local environment.
You will receive:
30+ inspiring videos that may be watched with children
Curated photos to stimulate conversation with children
Detailed & thought-provoking mindmaps
Resources lists relevant for each theme
Study material specific for winter
Handouts to share with parents & carers
More resources added throughout as required in response to the needs of educators
These resources are an excellent starting point to engage children in play-based learning and improve the quality of interaction between educators and children.
Suitable for both educators who love being outdoors or those that want to try it for the first time with a clear plan and guidance.
Step 2: Engage and document
Use these inputs provided to engage with children, then document their play and activities using Dr Claire Warden's world-renowned Floorbooks and Talking Tubs. Or use your own preferred documentation process.
Share provided handouts with parents and carers to help them embrace the possibilities of nature-based education in winter.
Step 3: Reflective practice
Improving the quality of the way educators practice is at the heart of the Best Winter EVER program.
Share your reflections during weekly coaching sessions.
Get personalised and direct feedback on your practice in real-time
Enjoy peer support & examples from other educators around the world.
Step 4: Rinse and repeat
While the resources in our "Best Winter EVER" program are designed with winter in mind, the practices and principles you will learn on high quality nature-based education and child-led inquiry can be used throughout the year.
Step 5: Get recognition
In addition to certificates for educators who successfully complete the program, there will be additional certificates awarded for completing specific aspects of the program that recognise achievement in nature-based learning and child-led inquiry.
DATES: 12 September - 11 November 2022 (includes 3 weeks for October holidays)
