Outdoor Classrooms Podcast Victoria Hackett, M.Ed: Learning Gardens and Nature Based Curriculum

Have you heard? I have just announced our second Outdoor Classroom’s CIRCLE Book Club selection! It's Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children  by Angela Hanscom.
Book description:
Today's kids have adopted sedentary lifestyles filled with television, video games, and computer screens. But more and more, studies show that children need "rough and tumble" outdoor play in order to develop their sensory, motor, and executive functions. Disturbingly, a lack of movement has been shown to lead to a number of health and cognitive difficulties, such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), emotion regulation and sensory processing issues, and aggressiveness at school recess break. So, how can you ensure your child is fully engaging their body, mind, and all of their senses?
Using the same philosophy that lies at the heart of her popular TimberNook program - that nature is the ultimate sensory experience, and that psychological and physical health improves for children when they spend time outside on a regular basis - author Angela J. Hanscom offers several strategies to help your child thrive, even if you live in an urban environment.
With this book, you'll discover little things you can do anytime, anywhere to help your kids achieve the movement they need to be happy and healthy in mind, body, and spirit.
Come join us in our CIRCLE Community Roundtable for a lively discussion about this book. In this episode, get a sneak peek of many book reflections from our members.
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
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OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News

Today I'm chatting with Meaghan Duncan about how effective communication increases cooperation and elevates connection. She believes, with the right tools, it is possible to turn moments of contention and correction, into moments of quality connection outdoors in nature. Listen and learn her tips and tricks for both parents and educators.
MEET MEAGAN:
An early childhood communication facilitator. She is passionate about helping parents and children use easy, effective communication together so that frustration is reduced and cooperation and connection is elevated. 
Meaghan combines skills and knowledge from her time as a nature-play-based preschool designer and teacher, BA degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Early Childhood Interventionist – serving families with children who are experiencing communication delays or disorders, and golden nuggets from her adoption trainings! 
CONNECT WITH MEAGAN:
 Connected Kids Thrive- Respectful Parenting Community Guiding Positive Behaviors - for Nature Schools
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
EMAIL
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News

Mandy and I discuss the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network's Forest Days Program in this episode. From there, we talk about how important it is for everyone to have equal access to nature, how to start a nature program in the city, and how to connect nature to curriculum! Pour yourself a cup of tea and listen. I promise you, this conversation will motivate you to become a part of the movement and discover how you can contribute to breaking down boundaries to children's access to nature.
Meet Mandy:
Mandy is a mother, yoga teacher, hobby naturalist, outdoors-woman, gardener, and passionate early childhood educator. A spiritual connection to mother earth and becoming a mother brought her to the world of nature-based education.
Mandy has an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and is currently working towards a degree in Social Work. She is passionate about social-emotional learning, mindfulness, empathy, self-expression, movement, creativity, nature, and community building. She weaves her background in dance, yoga, and mindfulness into her teaching. She has an innate curiosity and a love of learning, constantly bringing in new threads of wisdom to weave into her philosophical tapestry.
Mandy has had a variety of roles at BOPN, including Lead Teacher, Forest Day Leader, and Curriculum Coach. In her role as Curriculum Coach, Mandy mentors teachers in developing and implementing their emergent curriculums in a way that balances child-led, play based learning, and intentionally curated experiences and lessons that foster deeper learning. With a focus on social-emotional development and nature connections, she aims to build a strong foundation for learning in all domains. Through supporting each teacher her work strengthens BOPN as a whole.
In her spare time Mandy enjoys dancing, photography, and exploring natural spaces.
CONNECT WITH MANDY:
https://www.bopn.org/meettheteam/mandy-slavikwww.linkedin.com/in/mandy-slavik-179ab3296The Attunement Project
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
EMAIL
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News

Have you ever heard a two year old child announce to you, "I am an artist."? This is exactly the result of Laura Delgado's tireless effort to create an all inclusive art show for young children. Do you want to host an art show, but don't know where to start? Laura discusses her experiences with the Outdoor Classroom Art Show as well as success strategies in this episode. This episode also includes a photo tour for our CIRCLE Members. If you are interested in getting access, please inquire about membership HERE.
Meet Laura:
Laura Delgado is a certified 0-3 Montessori guide with 23 years of experience working with children and their families, with seventeen of those years in a Montessori setting. She is the owner of The Montessori Tree and currently runs and outdoor, home based toddler program called The Nest which integrates nature, art and Montessori. Laura is also a proud mother to an amazing young girl! Before becoming a mother. Laura received a BA in English and Masters in Educational Psychology. Laura is passionate about intentional living, conscious parenting and uplifting other through her work and words.
CONNECT WITH LAURA:
Website: https://themontessoritree.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themontessoritree/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themontessoritreeCanvas Rebel: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-laura-delgado/
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
EMAIL
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News

There has to be a good reason for the change because it is difficult. Usually, change is reactive.
A scarcity attitude is one of the main obstacles I hear from educators who are reluctant to switch to an outdoor teaching paradigm.
Not Enough TimeWhy does it lack?The response from the studentsThe anticipation of out-of-control behaviorAbsence of relevance to the curriculum
During a strategy session for an Outdoor Classroom, I asked a group of educators, "What is changing in your environment?" and their responses were insightful:
"The mental health of our students is evolving. Youngsters worry about the world we are leaving behind. There is an increase in our students who are experiencing depression, obesity, and attention deficit disorder."
Hearing directly from the front-line educators was incredibly insightful and true. In this episode, we recognize these shifts, marking the first step in the Outdoor Classrooms Readiness for Change Model.
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
EMAIL
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News

Have you been keeping up with my stories on Instagram? This year, I decided to try something entirely different after nearly giving up on planting and maintaining my edible garden. In this episode, listen to the story that inspired me to test out a new system in my Secret Gardens that Feeds. I've been using photos to record the process so far, but now that a month has passed, I wanted to provide you with an update on this mini-episode.
CONNECT WITH VICTORIA:
EMAIL
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM RESOURCES:
The Outdoor Classrooms CIRCLE MembershipThe Outdoor Teaching Bootcamp Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card DeckFREE PDF Library of Nature-Based Children's Books & Weekly Seedling News