Episode Overview:

In this enlightening episode, Sandra Duncan and Clare Nugent dive deep into the world of children's learning styles within the outdoor classroom. They explore the various roles that children naturally gravitate toward during outdoor play and learning, and how these roles can be encouraged and nurtured by educators and caregivers.

Key Learning Styles Discussed:

* Collectors: Children who love to gather items, whether they're leaves, rocks, or other natural treasures.

* Diggers: Enthusiastic about unearthing what's beneath the surface, these children are naturally curious about the ground below.

* Transformers: Kids who see potential in everything, creating and recreating with found materials.

* Storytellers: Natural narrators who bring events to life with their vivid imaginations.

* Investigators: Detail-oriented and inquisitive, these children question and explore their surroundings thoroughly.

* Nibblers: Those who explore the garden through taste, keen on learning through their palate.

* Planters: Future gardeners who delight in sowing seeds and nurturing plants.

* Artists: These children express themselves creatively through drawing, painting, or crafting with natural materials.

* Builders: Constructive thinkers focused on building structures, forts, or arrangements from elements around them.

* Waterers: Tender-hearted caretakers committed to nurturing and providing care for living things.

Key Takeaway:

This episode emphasizes that we're not just planting tomatoes; we're creating dynamic and inviting spaces for children to forge memories and grow. The outdoor classroom isn't just a physical space; it's a transformative environment where each child's unique learning style is recognized and celebrated.

Conclusion:

Tune in to learn how you can create engaging outdoor environments that cater to every child's style of play and learning, fostering a lifelong connection with nature and peers.

More than a Tomato Plant Article

Meet Sandra:

Sandra Duncan, EdD is an international specialist on early childhood environments. She has conducted extensive research on the psychology of places and spaces, specifically how children engage with built environments and natural surroundings. Sandra applies the pedagogical theories of Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf when creating holistic designed places for young children.

Dr. Duncan is a former owner of multi-site/multi-state early learning campuses, president of an educational publishing company, and publisher of two well-respected education journals. She is also the author of seven books focused on environmental design, designer of four furniture collections (Sense of Place/Sense of Place for Wee Ones/Sense of Place for School Age/Sense of Place for Infants), and adjunct faculty at Nova Southeastern University. Sandra has designed and teaches university courses (i.e., Association for Learning Environments) on built early learning environments, collaborating with architects, interior designers, and educators to create extraordinary places and possibilities for children and students of all ages. She is eternally grateful for the many opportunities she has experienced transforming hundreds of environments into extraordinary and inspiring places for young children.

[email protected]

www.SandraDuncan.com

219-743-2923

Meet Clare:

How can something as small as a bird change the course of one’s life? It was a little black-capped chickadee that filled Clare with hope and gave her life direction during a particularly painful time many years ago. A tiny bird sparked a dream that would change the course of her life forever!

Clare clearly sees that it’s been the painful trials that have truly shaped her life and made her a more impactful and empathetic educator. She is a children's naturalist who uses imagination and make believe to deepen children's experience WITH and IN the outdoors.

Clare owns and operates Ferntop Nature School, an outdoor school in Middle Tennessee for children ages 3-14 years. The school is located on her farm and has been running since 2014.

https://www.ferntopnaturepreschool.com/

CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:

• WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.com
• EMAIL: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/
• Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:

• The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE Membership
• Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program
• Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck
• FREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News