Planning for Nature-based Emergent Curriculum: An on-demand workshop

Planning for Nature-based Emergent Curriculum will help your team dig deep into providing materials and activities which follow children’s interests, support their development, and provide experiences learning with the natural world. Emergent curriculum is a concept often generally discussed in early childhood education, but much harder to pinpoint the exact process for implementing. This course gets down to the nitty-gritty of how to actually plan for emergent curriculum in a nature-based early childhood setting. 

In this course you will learn:

• to identify and nurture each child’s unique passions and curiosities

• to develop the art of patient observation, noticing and supporting children’s natural development

• how experiences with nature can become a powerful catalyst for growth and self-awareness

• to foster an environment that encourages children to take take the lead in their own learning

• the curriculum elements we can plan ahead for and those which we must be responsive to in the moment

Emergent curriculum celebrates the beauty of individuality, the wisdom of nature, and the empowerment of every child. Enroll now in Planning for Nature-based Emergent Curriculum and witness the transformation in your teaching and the impact that it has on children as they learn in and with the natural world.

When you purchase this workshop you’ll receive a downloadable Facilitator’s Guide (PDF) including... 

• A link so you can watch the video at a time that works best for your team

• Prompts to encourage discussions among your team about nature-based emergent planning  in your program

• Printable worksheets to capture seasonal events in your local place, capture children’s interests, and generate activity and material ideas related to those events and interests

• Handouts summarizing the foundations of Nature-based early childhood education (NbECE) and the nature-based emergent planning cycle.

• A certificate of completion so you can document and get credit for the time spent on this professional learning

Why does an emergent curriculum matter?

Embrace the Magic of Individuality 

No two children are alike, and Planning for Nature-based Emergent Curriculum celebrates and embraces this truth. The approach recognizes that education must adapt to the needs, interests, and pace of each child. By allowing children to lead their learning experiences, we unlock their innate potential and inspire a love for exploration and discovery.

Connecting with Nature’s Timeless Wisdom 

In a world where the pace of life (and school) often feel relentless, nature-based emergent curriculum encourages the gentle rhythms of nature. By immersing children in the wonders of the natural world, we cultivate patience, mindfulness, and a profound appreciation for the beauty of life.

Empowering Children as Agents of Change

Planning for Nature-based Emergent Curriculum recognizes that children are not passive recipients of knowledge, but capable agents in their own lives. By providing opportunities for them to take the lead, make choices, and express their voices, we foster confidence, independence, and a sense of ownership over their learning.

This on-demand workshop is perfect for educators looking for team development, as a teaching tool in pre-service education, or for individual professional learning. 

Want to take this professional learning even further?

Schedule a Live Q&A call with Rachel! A Q&A session with Rachel is an especially high value addition if you are using these courses for a team of educators. You and your team can expect open discussion to address questions, concerns, and thoughts specific to YOUR program. If you’re interested in scheduling, check page 3 of the Facilitator’s Guide for a link to schedule and pay for a 30-minute or 1-hour call.

Meet your instructor

Rachel A. Larimore, Ph.D.,  is an educator, consultant, speaker, researcher, and author. Her work focuses on the intentional integration of nature to support young children’s holistic development by learning with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. She has written multiple books including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, and Evaluating Nature: Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade. Prior to founding Samara, she spent more than a decade starting and directing one of the first nature-based preschools in the United States. She also serves on the advisory board of the Natural Start Alliance, a professional association supporting nature-based educators.