Outdoor Classrooms: Nature-Based Teaching and Learning for Educators and Parents

Victoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum
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The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement the 5 Phases of Teaching Outdoors, all while providing a new way of learning for your children! Studies have shown that children who learn outdoors in all seasons “develop a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline, and initiative.” Victoria Hackett is the founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The CIRCLE Membership community, and The Secret Gardens Demonstration Outdoor Classroom. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, head on over to our virtual playground at outdoor-classrooms.com.

  1. 2 days ago

    204: Nature in the Classroom with Ernesto Rodriguez: Creating Calmer, More Focused Learning Spaces

    Nature in the Classroom with Ernesto Rodriguez: Creating Calmer, More Focused Learning SpacesWhat if supporting children's focus, well-being, and learning could begin with the spaces where they spend their day? In this episode, Victoria Hackett sits down with Ernesto Rodriguez, founder of Nature in the Classroom, to explore how nature-inspired learning environments can help children feel calmer, more engaged, and better able to learn. Drawing on his background in school psychology, photography, and environmental education, Ernesto shares the story behind his innovative work bringing tree canopy imagery into schools and classrooms. Together, they discuss the science behind our connection to nature, the role of biophilic design in education, and why creating restorative learning environments matters now more than ever. Whether you're a classroom teacher, outdoor educator, school leader, or parent, this conversation offers practical ideas and fresh inspiration for bringing more nature into children's daily lives. In This Episode:The story behind Nature in the ClassroomWhy our brains respond so strongly to natureThe research connecting nature and attentionHow classroom environments influence learning and behaviorWhat teachers and students experience after nature-inspired transformationsThe relationship between indoor environments and outdoor learningSimple ways educators can bring more nature into their classroomsWhy nature connection is essential for children's well-being About Ernesto Rodriguez:Ernesto Rodriguez is the founder of Nature in the Classroom, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the benefits of nature into schools through immersive tree canopy installations and nature-inspired learning environments. His work combines school psychology, photography, and environmental education to help create spaces where children can thrive. Resources:Nature in the Classroom Facebook Instagram Contact Ernesto Connect with Victoria:For more conversations about outdoor learning, nature-based education, and raising connected, curious children, subscribe to The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast and share this episode with a fellow educator. Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram Facebook Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Sponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com to learn more. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    41 min

  2. 16 June

    203: Summer Outdoor Classroom Ideas Across Four Teaching Gardens

    Episode 203: Summer Outdoor Classroom Ideas Across Four Teaching Gardens Summer brings a powerful shift in the outdoor classroom—but many educators find themselves wondering how to move beyond maintenance into intentional, meaningful outdoor learning. In this episode, we explore how to reimagine your outdoor classroom for summer through four “teaching gardens” that support curiosity, exploration, and nature-based learning. Rather than treating the outdoor space as one general area, this episode introduces a framework for designing outdoor environments that reflect the richness of the summer season. We explore four teaching garden lenses: 🌿 Gardens that Feed 🐝 Gardens that Attract Wildlife 🎨 Gardens for Art and Beauty 🔍 Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations Each one offers a different way to support observation, inquiry, creativity, and connection with the natural world. This episode invites educators to shift their thinking—from managing outdoor spaces to designing living systems that inspire learning. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why summer outdoor learning often feels less structured for educatorsHow to move from maintaining a garden to designing teaching gardensFour ways to structure meaningful outdoor learning in summerHow nature becomes a co-teacher in your outdoor classroomWhy small shifts in design can create powerful learning opportunities Mentioned in This Episode🌿 Exploring Nature in Summer Masterclass 📅 Opens June 19 A 4-week hybrid experience for educators focused on seasonal outdoor learning: Week 1: Gardens That Feed in Summer Week 2: Gardens That Attract Wildlife in Summer Week 3: Gardens for Art and Beauty in Summer Week 4: Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations in Summer Reflection QuestionWhat would change in your outdoor classroom if it was designed for curiosity instead of maintenance? Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria: Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram Facebook Sponsorship Opportunities:If you believe in the power of outdoor learning and nature-based education, we'd love to partner with you. Sponsoring the Outdoor Classrooms Podcast helps support educators while connecting your organization with a passionate community of teachers, school leaders, and families. Contact Victoria at victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com to learn more. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    26 min

  3. 9 June

    202: From Mud Kitchens to College Graduation: Outdoor Learning, Childhood & the Growth We Don’t Always See

    From Mud Kitchens to College GraduationOutdoor Learning, Childhood & the Growth We Don’t Always See This episode connects a deeply personal moment—watching a son graduate from Cornell University—with reflections on childhood, parenting, and the long arc of development. From mud kitchens to outdoor classrooms, it explores how children grow in ways that are often invisible in the moment—but undeniable over time. In This EpisodeWhy the most important learning is often invisible while it’s happeningHow outdoor play builds resilience, curiosity, and problem-solvingThe connection between early childhood experiences and later life skillsWhy mud kitchens and loose parts are far more than “just play”How outdoor learning shapes both children and the adults who guide them Key IdeaChildhood is not a checklist of achievements—it is a long, unfolding process of becoming. And outdoor learning asks us to trust what we cannot yet measure. Episode Takeaway:From mud kitchens to college graduation - growth is always happening, even when we cannot see it yet. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram Facebook Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    23 min

  4. 2 June

    201: Turn Back Time with Lisa Burris: Reclaiming Childhood Through Outdoor Learning

    Episode #201: Turn Back Time with Lisa Burris: Reclaiming Childhood Through Outdoor Learning What happens when children are given time, space, and freedom to connect deeply with nature? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Lisa Burris, founder of Turn Back Time, to explore the transformative power of outdoor learning, connection, and childhood wonder. Lisa shares the story behind Turn Back Time and how her work has created meaningful experiences for children and families through nature-based education, farm experiences, and relationship-centered learning. Together, we discuss what children truly need to thrive, the importance of unstructured outdoor play, and how nature helps children build confidence, resilience, and belonging. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that childhood was never meant to happen only indoors. In This Episode, We Explore:The story behind Turn Back TimeWhy nature-based learning matters now more than everSupporting children through connection and outdoor experiencesThe role of risk, wonder, and freedom in childhoodHow outdoor learning transforms both children and educatorsThe healing power of slowing down and reconnecting with natureWhat gives Lisa hope for the future of education Whether you are a parent, educator, or advocate for children, this episode will leave you inspired to see outdoor learning in a whole new way. Connect & Learn More from Turn Back Timewww.tbtinc.org www.facebook.com/turnbacktimeinc Instagram: @tbtfarm Call to ActionIf this episode inspired you, share it with an educator, parent, or friend who believes in the power of childhood, nature, and connection. 🔗 Connect with Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria: WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.com EMAIL: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/ Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    54 min

  5. 26 May

    200. Aging Well Through Nature: Lessons from My 93-Year-Old Mother’s Garden

    Episode #200: Aging Well Through Nature: Lessons from My 93-Year-Old Mother’s GardenThis Mother’s Day, I visited my 93-year-old mother and spent time in her garden—a living, breathing oasis filled with flowers, birds, sunlight, and the quiet rhythm of seasonal change. As I watched her move through this familiar space, I found myself reflecting on something we often overlook: nature is not just for children. In this episode, I share a personal story alongside research and reflection on how nature supports healthy aging, emotional wellbeing, memory, purpose, and quality of life in older adults. From gardening to sunlight to sensory connection, we explore why outdoor spaces matter deeply across the entire lifespan. We also consider what it means to age in place surrounded by nature—and why beauty, rhythm, and connection remain essential at every age. In This EpisodeA visit to my 93-year-old mother’s gardenWhat nature offers in aging and elderhoodResearch on nature and healthy agingEmotional and cognitive benefits of gardensWhy nature matters across the lifespan Key TakeawayNature is not optional in later life—it is essential to wellbeing, connection, and how we continue to feel alive. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram Facebook Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    33 min

  6. 19 May

    199: The Legacy You’re Already Living: Nature-Based Education, Outdoor Learning & the Power of Attention

    The Legacy You’re Already Living: Nature-Based Education, Outdoor Learning & the Power of Attention What if legacy isn’t something we leave behind—but something we build every day? In this episode, we explore how nature-based education shapes children through attention, connection, and repeated experiences outdoors. Through a story from the Secret Gardens Outdoor Classroom, a simple puddle becomes a powerful example of how curiosity, observation, and place-based learning create lasting impact. This episode is for educators and parents who want to deepen children’s relationship with the natural world—and understand how those small moments become meaningful over time. In This Episode:Rethinking legacy in educationThe role of attention in outdoor learningHow nature-based education builds connection and careWhy returning to the same place mattersHow identity forms through experiences in nature Key Takeaway:What children learn to notice, they learn to value. Reflection:What are you teaching children to notice? Closing:Small moments outdoors can shape how children see—and care for—the world. 🌿 Keep noticing. 🔗 ConnectOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria: WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.com EMAIL: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/ Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    28 min

  7. 12 May

    198: Beyond the Front Door with José Bergeron: Small Shifts That Transform Family & Classroom Life Outdoors

    🎧 Beyond the Front Door with José Bergeron: Small Shifts That Transform Family & Classroom Life Outdoors What if the most meaningful learning—for both families and classrooms—begins just beyond the front door? In this episode, I’m joined by José Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family, to explore how simple, everyday moments in nature can transform the way children live, learn, and connect—at home and in school. We talk about why so many children are disconnected from the outdoors—and how small, intentional shifts can bring nature back into daily rhythms. José shares insights on child development, the power of unstructured play, and how outdoor experiences support focus, creativity, and emotional well-being. This conversation is for parents, caregivers, and educators who want to create meaningful, low-pressure ways for children to learn and thrive outside. 👋 Meet JoséMeet José Bergeron, author of Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family. He is passionate about helping families and educators reconnect children with the natural world through simple, meaningful everyday experiences. His work centers on the idea that small shifts—stepping outside, slowing down, and making space for unstructured play—can have a powerful impact on children’s well-being, learning, and connection. 🌿 In This Episode, We Explore:Why nature is essential for children’s growth—at home and in schoolSimple, doable ways to bring outdoor learning into everyday routinesThe role of unstructured play in both family life and educationHow time outside supports focus, creativity, and emotional regulationPractical ideas for educators to extend learning beyond classroom walls 🔗 Connect with JoséWant to learn more from José Bergeron? Website: https://backwoodsmama.com/Instagram: @thebackwoodsmamaTikTok: @thebackwoodsmamaBook: Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family You can also explore more of José’s writing and seasonal nature inspiration on her website, where she shares practical ideas for helping families reconnect with the outdoors year-round. Outdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria:Website: www.outdoor-classrooms.com Email: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram Facebook Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    40 min

  8. 5 May

    197: Playful Personalities: Designing Outdoor Classrooms that Invite Every Child In

    Episode #197: Playful Personalities: Designing Outdoor Classrooms that Invite Every Child In What if engagement in your outdoor classroom isn’t about better activities—but better design? In this episode, we explore playful personalities—the natural ways children engage with the world—and how they can become powerful on-ramps to learning. From builders and explorers to observers and storytellers, you’ll learn how to design spaces that invite every child in. With real stories and simple shifts, you’ll begin to see your outdoor classroom as a place of belonging, curiosity, and meaningful learning. 🌿 In This EpisodeWhat playful personalities areWhy children engage differently outdoorsHow to design with multiple entry pointsSimple ways to make your space more inclusive 💭 ReflectionWho is your space inviting in… and who might still be waiting at the edge?🔗 ConnectOutdoor Classroom Resources & Links: 🌿 Our Children's Library: 4 Types of Teaching Gardens Booklist (PDF) (halfway down the page) 🎓 Outdoor Classrooms Teacher Certification Program 🌸 CIRCLE Membership Community Connect with Victoria: WEBSITE: www.outdoor-classrooms.com EMAIL: Victoria@outdoor-classrooms.com Instagram: instagram.com/outdoor_classrooms/ Facebook: Facebook.com/OutdoorClassrooms1 ⭐️ Enjoying the podcast?Follow, rate, and review to help others discover outdoor learning. Please take a moment to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and rate or comment on Spotify. Your support makes a big difference in helping the show reach more educators!

    23 min
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About

The Outdoor Classrooms Podcast is the podcast for teachers and parents and anyone interested in cultivating learning gardens and nature-based curricula for children. It’s a show that will help you transform your outdoor space and will offer “seeds of inspiration” for playful learning outdoors. Each week, Victoria Hackett and her guests will share tips and actionable strategies that you will need in order to set in motion, manage and grow your Outdoor Classroom. You’ll learn how to implement the 5 Phases of Teaching Outdoors, all while providing a new way of learning for your children! Studies have shown that children who learn outdoors in all seasons “develop a sense of self, independence, confidence, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving skills, empathy towards others, motor skills, self-discipline, and initiative.” Victoria Hackett is the founder of Outdoor-Classrooms.com, The CIRCLE Membership community, and The Secret Gardens Demonstration Outdoor Classroom. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. To learn more, head on over to our virtual playground at outdoor-classrooms.com.

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