Presented by Patti Ensel Bailie, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Maine at Farmington; and Catherine Koons Hubbard, Nature Preschool Consultant, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Moderated by Jennifer Lewis, President, Gryphon House, Inc.

Sponsored by Gryphon House

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This edWebinar takes a detailed, year-round look at practical and engaging outdoor experiences for children ages 3-6. Special attention is given to easy-to-obtain materials, seasonal activities that could be taught in a range of environments, and meeting the developmental needs of children—using nature as a teaching partner. The learning objectives of the session include:

1. Develop an appreciation for the richness and depth of engagement and discovery that children experience in nature. This edWebinar seeks to inspire anyone with access to nature—no matter how limited that access may be—to consider the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits that result when children are granted the opportunity to learn and explore in the natural world.
2. Overcome hesitation to the challenges associated with teaching outside. We will touch on weather, risks, hazards, clothing, even bathroom needs, as we discuss what is necessary to be successful when taking children outdoors.
3. Depart with hands-on, pragmatic, easy-to-replicate activities for every season. We have carefully chosen to highlight outdoor experiences that are low budget and can be easily adapted for different climates and teaching spaces.

This recorded edWebinar is of interest to PreK-3 teachers.

About the Presenters

Patti Ensel Bailie, Ph.D. is one of the leaders in the national Nature Preschool movement. She is an associate professor of early childhood education at the University of Maine at Farmington and co-author, with Catherine Koons Hubbard, of Partnering with Nature in Early Childhood: A Guide to Outdoor Experiences. She is also one of the contributing authors to David Sobel’s book, Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens: The Handbook for Outdoor Learning. Dr. Bailie has worked in the field of early childhood environmental education for the past 30 years at three different nature centers including as the founding director of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Preschool in Milwaukee, WI and the co-director of the Early Childhood Outdoors (ECO) Institute in Omaha, NE. She also served as the assistant director of the Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Certificate Program at Antioch University, New England.

Catherine Koons Hubbard is the former director of Schlitz Audubon Nature Preschool in Milwaukee, WI and the co-founder of WiNBECA, the Wisconsin Nature-Based Early Childhood Association. She currently serves as a consultant for the Nature Preschool, running professional development workshops and special programs for parents. She was delighted to team up with friend, colleague, and mentor, Dr. Patti Bailie, to co-author Partnering with Nature in Early Childhood: A Guide to Outdoor Experiences.

About the Moderator

Jennifer Lewis is the president at Gryphon House, Inc., the leading publisher of educational resources for teachers and parents.

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Gryphon House, Inc. is an award-winning publisher of early childhood resources for teachers and parents.