Freebies!
Free resources related to nature-based early childhood education
Informational Texts in Nature-Based Classrooms
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore invites listeners to examine their classroom's informational texts. Quality informational texts do more than simply convey facts—they help children understand that books are gateways to knowledge about the world around them.
"Why do we do THAT?"
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore invites listeners to embrace their inner toddler by asking "Why?!" By examining the intentions behind program structures, physical environments, and teacher-child interactions, nature-based educators can better understand what's working and what’s not.
High Five Time: Celebrating our Team Successes
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore invites listeners to reflect and celebrate successes within our teaching teams.
Bonus: Trail Map for Leading NbECE Change
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore shares a brief clip from her full webinar: Trail Map for Leading NbECE Change.
Love Notes for Educators: Building a Reservoir of Energy
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore encourages educators to create an archive of positive feedback in order to find encouragement on harder days.
Getting in Gear: Classroom Organization as a Means of Calm
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore suggests that a simple 10-minute organization task can significantly impact both teacher and student well-being during this hectic season.
The Outdoor Classrooms podcast: Interview with Dr. Rachel Larimore & Dr. Claire Warden
In this podcast, the host of Outdoor Classrooms speaks with Dr. Rachel A. Larimore & Dr. Claire Warden to explore their groundbreaking perspectives on weaving nature into educational practices to spark curiosity and engagement.
Another Perspective on Inside, Outside & Beyond
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore explores the Inside, Outside, and Beyond. These are more than learning spaces. They are also a metaphor for how people relate to co-workers, children, families, and nature.
Growing Together: Connecting with Families in Nature-based Programs
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore discusses the importance of nurturing connections with families in early childhood nature-based education, which ultimately reinforces the partnership between teachers and families.
Nurturing Relationships: Connecting with New Team Members in Outdoor Settings
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore emphasizes the importance of supporting new team members in nature-based early childhood education settings.
High Five Time: Noticing the Successes
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle podcast, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore introduces a Mindful Turtle tradition designed to shift focus from the overwhelming to-do list to celebrations of what has gone well.
Naturally Teaching Elementary Science podcast: Interview with Dr. Rachel Larimore
In this podcast, the host of Naturally Teaching Elementary Science hosts Dr. Rachel A. Larimore to discuss the NAture-Based Education Rating Scales (NABERS), and the important and varied roles teachers play in implementing and maintaining quality programs.
We’re in it together—Team teaching in early childhood
Every single adult in any classroom matters. They impact the children, the other adults, and interactions with families. Everyone matters.
Trail Map for Leading Change
Leading change in nature-based early childhood education cs difficult. And slow. This means that whether you’re an administrative leader or a classroom leader, it can be a daunting, frustrating task to inspire others toward the nature-based approach.
Inspiring Change Toward Nature-based Teaching
If we want others to move toward nature-based early chitdhood teaching our only effective option is to inspire.
Evaluating Natureness: Community & family engagement
Family engagement and community partnerships are areas of nature-based education that sometimes get overlooked, but are important components for a thriving program. Let’s look at each…
Evaluating Natureness: Quality comes from the people
Remember, nature-based pedagogy is a collection of practices. All of these practices are ultimately influenced or implemented by administrators and teachers.
Evaluating Natureness: Collection of practices
Can we call ourselves nature-based?
I often hear this from early childhood educators. My response? Nature-based education is a collection of practices that prioritize children’s experiences learning with nature.
Don’t let regulations spook you
Whether you’re contemplating starting a school or you have a school and are considering integrating more nature-based approaches, at some point you’ve probably had thoughts about regulations.