Another Perspective on Inside, Outside & Beyond
This bonus episode of the Mindful Turtle Podcast originally aired November 13, 2024. To receive podcast updates and other nature-based early childhood education news, subscribe to Samara Early Learning’s weekly newsletter written by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore.
Listen to this bonus episode of the Mindful Turtle now:
In this special bonus episode of the Mindful Turtle, Rachel shares a clip from one of her webinars. The concepts of "inside, outside, and beyond" represent more than just physical locations - they serve as metaphors for our social-emotional development and interactions, including our relationships with ourselves, others, and the wider world.
In the context of education, schools function as ecosystems where every individual plays a unique role, and our emotions and thoughts impact this dynamic. Understanding our "why" for working in education is essential. It helps clarify our purpose and can recharge our passion. Beyond that, reflecting on what brings us joy and identifying frustrations within our role can lead to positive changes.
It’s equally important to think beyond our immediate environment and consider how we are influencing the broader field of early childhood education, including our perspectives on issues like educator compensation and treatment.
Consider your impact on your classroom, your program, and beyond. How do your internal values translate into actions in your educational practice? What ripples do you create in your immediate environment and the broader field of nature-based education?
Rachel’s latest book, Reimagining the Roles of Teachers in Nature-Based Learning: Helping Children Be Curious, Confident, and Caring, co-authored with Dr. Claire Warden, delves deeper into the roles we play and how those roles impact the children, our programs and our communities at large. You can purchase the book by clicking here.
