- Nature-based Play and Learning Professional Learning Workshops Series – for early childhood educators, childcare professionals, families
- Nature-based Story Times and Outdoor Playgroups – in partnership with libraries, recreation programs and others
Helping nurture a child’s sense of wonder and sense of place.
Regular free time in natural settings is an important part of healthy child development. Nature-based play enhances children’s learning, health and overall quality of life. Yet children today spend less time outdoors than any previous generation.
Knee High Nature (KHN) professional development/professional learning workshops engage early childhood educators, childcare professionals, and families in the best practices for authentic play in nature and the learning that it fosters for children. And so much research demonstrates the many important benefits of nature-based play and learning; click here for a report on this research.
Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
Four Winds’ Nature-based Play and Science Learning PLCs support early childhood professionals as leaders, leverage local resources and community connections, and make lasting changes in practice. Each PLC provides 12-15 contact hours of professional development. These multi-session workshops include small group discussion, time outside, pre-reading and reflection, and action steps. Join a PLC in your area! For more information, contact khn@fwni.org.
- Sense of Wonder/Sense of Self Professional Learning Workshop series (PLC) – description and topics
- Nature-based Play and Learning workshops – Rutland County Head Start, Rutland VT
- Nature-based Play and Learning PLC – Old School of South Burlington, SoBurl VT
- Nature-based Play and Learning workshops – Bennington County Head Start, VT
- Sense of Wonder/Sense of Self workshops – Barrington, NH
Nurturing A CHILD’S SENSE OF WONDER: NATURE-based PLAYGROUPS and STORYTIMES IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Four Winds’ Nature-based Playgroups and Storytimes for Families support those wanting time in nature to be part of every child’s childhood. Held in partnership with local libraries, parent child centers, recreation departments and other community hosts, each playgroup takes children and their adults outside to play and connect in nearby nature. Mud kitchens, water play, forts, fairy houses and more — children engage in creative, unstructured nature-based play. We may enjoy a story or two together outside, too. And adults learn what nature-based play is, how it sounds, what it looks like, and how it benefits children.
Contact khn@fwni.org for information about a family nature-based playgroup in your community.
KHN Resources
Visit our Tools + Resources page for resources, curriculum recommendations, books, and other content to help you explore outdoor play opportunities and how it benefits children.
Want to create a nature playspace or add more opportunities for nature play into each day? You will love this Recipe for Nature Play presentation by landscape designer Elizabeth Cooper!
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To learn more, download our KHN brochure or email khn@fwni.org.
