Teach Outdoors

Lauren MacLean

Teach Outdoors is a podcast show that explores the benefits and challenges of bringing learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Topics range from the science behind the benefits of outdoor learning to practical tips for incorporating outdoor activities into lesson plans. Whether you're a teacher looking to enhance your students' learning experience or simply someone who loves spending time in nature with your kids, Teach Outdoors is the podcast for you. Tune in every month to expand your knowledge and be inspired to take your teaching outside!

  1. JAN 30

    What Does It Mean to Care About Nature? With Kelly Shuto

    In this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Shuto—childhood friend, educator, and author of the What Does It Mean to… book series. We sit down to talk about our journey of co-writing the fourth book in her series, What Does It Mean to Care About Nature?, and how our shared history and deep connections to the natural world shaped this collaboration. Our conversation weaves together stories from our own childhoods, the role nature and play played in our lives, and why those early experiences matter so much for children today. We talk about care not as something we teach through rules or lectures, but as something that grows through time, relationship, curiosity, and joyful play outdoors. We also dig into how this book can be used in real, practical ways—with students in classrooms, during outdoor learning experiences, and at home with families. From inquiry-rich conversations to playful noticing and wondering, we explore how the book invites children (and adults) to slow down, ask questions, and build a genuine relationship with the natural world. This episode is a heartfelt reflection on friendship, creativity, play, and the belief that when children are given space to love nature, caring naturally follows. In this episode, we explore: Why Kelly and I wanted to write What Does It Mean to Care About Nature? togetherHow our childhood experiences with nature influenced our work as educators and authorsThe role of play in building care, connection, and stewardshipWays to use this book with students in classrooms and outdoor settingsHow families can use the book to spark meaningful conversations and experiences outdoorsWhether you’re a teacher, parent, or anyone who cares about helping children build a relationship with nature, this conversation is an invitation to rethink what “caring” really looks like—and how it begins with play.

    58 min

  2. JAN 23

    Play as Sanctuary with Dr. Deborah MacNamara

    Play is often treated as something extra — something we squeeze in when the “real learning” is done. But what if play is actually essential? What if, for many children, play is a sanctuary? In this episode of the Teach Outdoors Podcast, I’m joined by developmentalist, counsellor, and author Dr. Deborah MacNamara to explore the idea of Play as Sanctuary and what true, restorative play looks like in outdoor learning spaces — especially in schools. Together, we unpack why unstructured outdoor play matters for children’s emotional and developmental health, what’s really happening when kids struggle during free play, and how educators can support regulation and resilience without controlling or shutting play down. We also talk honestly about the tensions teachers feel between holding space for play and meeting curriculum expectations — and why that tension might be worth sitting with. Dr. MacNamara brings deep wisdom from her work with children and adults, as well as insights from her books Rest, Play, Grow and Nourished, helping us make sense of big feelings, big behaviour, and the role play has in helping children feel safe, seen, and restored. In this episode, we explore: What true outdoor play looks like (and how it differs from structured activities or recess)How children’s four irreducible needs show up during outdoor playWhy some students struggle with unstructured time — and how to support them without directing their playWhat “big behaviour” during or after outdoor time is really telling us developmentallyCommon fears educators have about unstructured play — and what research and clinical experience say about themHow restorative play builds genuine resilience (not just “toughening kids up”)Why play offers children rest — and how outdoor play restores in unique waysHow teachers can honour play while still feeling accountable to curriculum and learning goalsAs we wrap up, this conversation is a powerful reminder that play isn’t optional — it’s a developmental need. For many children, outdoor play is where they regulate, process, and reconnect with themselves and others. ✨ Resources mentioned: You can explore nature-based resources, ideas, and online courses for educators at teachoutdoors.ca — perfect for pro-D days, staff learning, or self-paced professional growth. If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with a colleague who could use permission to slow down and trust play a little more. Until next time — get outside, and keep playing.

    48 min

  3. JAN 16

    Embracing Risky Play at School

    In this episode, Lauren sits down with Dr. Mariana Brussoni—Professor at the University of British Columbia, Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership, and lead scientist of the Outside Play Lab at BC Children’s Hospital—to examine the critical role of risky play in schools. Grounded in decades of research, Dr. Brussoni explains what risky play truly means, how it differs from dangerous play, and why uncertainty, challenge, and even the possibility of minor injury are essential components of healthy child development. Drawing from her co-authored book Embracing Risky Play at School, Dr. Brussoni unpacks the six categories of risky play, the importance of time, space, and freedom outdoors, and how educators can use dynamic risk–benefit assessment to create environments that are “as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.” She offers practical insight into when teachers should step back versus intervene, how to design “Yes Spaces” for higher-risk play, and how schools can respond to injuries in ways that support learning rather than shut down opportunities. Lauren and Dr. Brussoni also explore the connections between the decline of risky play and rising levels of anxiety and mental health challenges among children, as well as the rich cognitive, social, and emotional competencies developed when students climb, balance, build, and explore. The conversation ends with a compelling vision for the future of outdoor education—one where every child experiences meaningful, everyday opportunities for risky play as a fundamental part of their school day. Embracing Risky Play at School Buy here! Book Launch - February 5th, 2026. Join here! UBC Outside Play Teacher Tool

    47 min

  4. 12/18/2025

    Re-Storying Education with Carolyn Roberts

    In this episode of the Teach Outdoors Podcast, Lauren MacLean is joined by educator, writer, and author Carolyn Roberts, whose work centers on re-storying education through story, land-based learning, and relational ways of knowing. Carolyn invites us to slow down and reconsider the stories that shape our classrooms, our relationships, and our responsibilities to land and community. Together, Lauren and Carolyn explore how story is not just something we teach, but something we live — and how children’s literature, particularly picture books by Indigenous authors, can open meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and land. This conversation gently supports educators who may feel unsure or fearful about “getting it wrong,” offering practical, grounded ways to begin engaging in decolonizing practices with humility, reflection, and care. From using picture books as entry points, to rethinking land acknowledgements, to honouring children as knowledge holders, this episode offers reassurance that this work doesn’t require perfection — only presence. This is a reflective and hopeful conversation for educators at any stage of their journey. Carolyn's Website Carolyn's Journal Article

    35 min

  5. 12/05/2025

    Climate Literacy Without Fear: A Conversation with Paul Koberstein

    Thrive Outside is back this January for its second year! This 5-week online group coaching program helps teachers build confidence and clarity in outdoor learning—through routines, curriculum connections, planning support, and weekly collaborative sessions. Early bird pricing is open now at $127 until December 19, 2025, before increasing to $177. You can absolutely use Pro-D or PAC funds, and I’d love to have you join our 2026 cohort. Click HERE to join!  Now onto today’s episode—one that so many teachers have been waiting for. I’m joined by Paul Koberstein, award-winning investigative journalist, author, and founder of Cascadia Times. He’s also the co-author of Canopy of Titans, a finalist for the Oregon Book Award, which explores the ecological, cultural, and climate importance of the Pacific Northwest’s ancient forests. Paul’s work sits at the intersection of science, storytelling, and justice, making him the perfect guest to help us unpack today’s topic: climate literacy without fear. In this conversation, Paul and I explore questions educators face every day, such as: • How do we explain complex systems—like forests, carbon cycles, and climate change—in ways that build curiosity, wonder, and hope, rather than fear? • What stories from Canopy of Titans can teachers bring into their classrooms to spark conversations about stewardship, ecosystems, and human impact? • What signs of a healthy or stressed ecosystem should students learn to notice during forest walks or schoolyard explorations? • How can we talk about logging, conservation, and land management honestly—especially in communities with strong ties to forestry—while staying respectful and balanced? • How do forests and freshwater systems connect, and how do species like beavers and salmon actually help stabilize the climate? • Why is simple noticing—curiosity, observation, attention—such a powerful foundation for environmental literacy? • What are developmentally appropriate ways to introduce advocacy, decision-making, and environmental responsibility without overwhelming kids? • And finally: What hopeful stories and emerging research keep Paul going, and how can we share that hope with our students? Get in touch with Paul: paul.koberstein@gmail.com  Click HERE to buy Canopy of Titans https://www.orbooks.com/catalog/canopy-of-titans/

    34 min

  6. 11/28/2025

    Why Active Outdoor Play Matters: A Conversation with Dr. Louise de Lannoy

    Today I’m chatting with Dr. Louise de Lannoy from Outdoor Play Canada—someone I’ve admired for years. I first heard Louise speak at Take Me Outside in Banff and later at the Breath of Fresh Air Summit, and every single time I hear her talk, I leave feeling both grounded and fired up. Outdoor Play Canada has been leading the research, advocacy, and national conversation around kids’ right to real, active, messy, risky play—the kind of play children desperately need but are getting less and less of in schools. And this year, they released an updated Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play that gives educators across Canada a powerful tool to support more freedom, more movement, and more joy outdoors. In this episode, Louise and I dive into: Why an Updated Position Statement Was Needed What has changed in the last decadeThe growing barriers teachers faceWhy equity and access must be at the centre of conversations about playWhat the Research Actually Says Louise breaks down the biggest misconceptions about risky play and shares some of the most compelling findings teachers should know—from injury data to SEL benefits to how outdoor play supports academic readiness. How to Support Risky Play in Schools How to start small and build confidenceWays to talk to administrators and parents about safetyUsing the Position Statement to advocate at the school or district levelOutdoor Play, SEL, and Curriculum We explore how risk, challenge, and movement support: emotional regulationresilienceexecutive functioningproblem-solvingand overall learningLouise also shares so many practical and teacher-friendly tips that you can start using right away—even if your school feels risk-averse or you’re not sure where to begin. If you’re an educator who wants to offer more outdoor play, feel more confident with risk, and ground your practice in research, this conversation will inspire you and give you concrete tools to take back to your school. Outdoor Play Canada Newsletter Here

    43 min

  7. 11/08/2025

    Mentorship in the Wild: Building Resilience and Connection with Court Rustemeyer

    In this episode, I chat with Court Rustemeyer, an Alberta teacher, outdoor educator, and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow who was also recognized as EECOM’s Outdoor Educator of the Year. Court’s passion for connecting students to nature runs deep. We talk about the inspiration behind his new book, Mentorship in the Wild, and what mentorship really looks like in outdoor learning — from building trust and resilience to finding balance between safety and risk. Court shares stories from his years of teaching outdoors, his approach to fostering authentic connection, and what’s next as he prepares for an incredible two-week expedition to Antarctica. He’s an inspiring educator, speaker, and workshop facilitator, and there’s so much to learn from his thoughtful, grounded approach to outdoor education. 🌿 Learn more about Court’s work, courses, and workshops HERE 📖 Order his book, Mentorship in the Wild, HERE

    44 min

  8. 10/17/2025

    Nature as Therapy: Supporting Kids Through Play and Movement with Devon Karchut

    Welcome back to The Teach Outdoors Podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Lauren MacLean sits down with Devon Karchut, a pediatric physiotherapist and founder of Nature Play, an outdoor play and therapy program in Calgary. Devon has spent 15 years helping children move, grow, and thrive — and she’s a fierce advocate for the power of outdoor play in supporting healthy development, regulation, and learning. Together, they unpack how outdoor play supports physical and emotional wellness, how schools can integrate movement and sensory opportunities into daily routines, and what inclusion truly looks like in outdoor settings. 🌿 What You’ll Learn in This Episode Warming Up: Setting the Scene Devon’s journey from clinic-based physiotherapy to creating Nature Play.What therapy looks like when it happens outdoors — and how kids respond.Connecting Play to Learning How movement and play outdoors connect directly to learning outcomes.Why unstructured play isn’t “extra” — it’s essential.Real stories from schools where outdoor play transformed focus, confidence, and behaviour.Movement, Sensory, and Regulation The key movements and sensory inputs many children are missing today.How those missing experiences affect attention, regulation, and participation.Simple ways to build sensory-motor opportunities into outdoor routines like walks, circle times, and sit spots.Inclusion and Access Strategies for supporting children who find movement or outdoor spaces challenging.What true inclusion looks like in outdoor play and learning environments.Advocacy and Mindset Why outdoor play is a right, not a luxury.One mindset shift teachers can make to start integrating more movement and play — even with limited time.💡 Bonus for Educators Lauren also shares upcoming monthly coaching call topics designed to deepen your outdoor teaching practice: September: Nature Routines — building consistency and rhythm outdoors.October: Nature Journals & Documentation — scaffolding writing and observation skills.November: Universal Design for Learning Outdoors — creating access, choice, and flexibility for every learner (perfect for IEP season!).

    46 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Teach Outdoors is a podcast show that explores the benefits and challenges of bringing learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Topics range from the science behind the benefits of outdoor learning to practical tips for incorporating outdoor activities into lesson plans. Whether you're a teacher looking to enhance your students' learning experience or simply someone who loves spending time in nature with your kids, Teach Outdoors is the podcast for you. Tune in every month to expand your knowledge and be inspired to take your teaching outside!

Information

  • Creator
    Lauren MacLean
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Teach Outdoors
  • Show Website
    Teach Outdoors