A free webinar with Dr Alison Moore and Marcella Towler - sharing new research about how Early Childhood students can develop their understandings of outdoor learning spaces.
This sold out event has now passed. A recording is available to watch via our online film and webinar library.
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Thursday 22 February 2024
7pm - 8pm
Online - via Zoom
SOLD OUT
This free Froebel Trust webinar, in partnership with the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network, is aimed at:
- Early Childhood and Early Years students
- educators working in schools and early years settings
- all those who are interested in fostering young children's connections with nature
- course leaders/ tutors/ lecturers interested in supporting students’ confidence and pedagogical understanding of the potential afforded by outdoor learning spaces.
The webinar is being Chaired by Dr Sharon Colilles, Froebel Trust Trustee and Senior Lecturer, Early Childhood Studies at Bath Spa University. Sharon is also a vice-chair on the Executive of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network.
About Dr Alison Moore and Marcella Towler
Dr Alison Moore and Marcella Towler's research, funded by the Froebel Trust, explores how students can apply reflective practice, fuse theory with practice and develop observation skills to inform their knowledge and understanding of the potential of outdoor provision. In this webinar, they will share their approach to the study and the key findings and implications.
Working with the students, Alison and Marcella teach at University College Cork in Ireland. Their research project embeds Froebelian principles, incorporating students’ reflective accounts and demonstrating that:
- Students understanding of outdoor learning spaces is fostered through first hand experiences in outdoor spaces and from reflection on those experiences.
- Time for individual reflection and for reflective discussion with supportive peers and tutors/lecturers contributes to unfolding understandings of a Froebelian approach.
- A transition in mindsets towards outdoor learning spaces is needed. The natural aspects of open-air environments enlighten hearts and minds and nature nurtures an emergent curriculum.
The research is timely for Ireland and many other countries where outdoor play and learning are promoted as part of wellbeing, nature connection and sustainability strategies in Early Years education policy and practice.
Note: If you are unable to attend this live webinar, a recording will be made available (from March) to view via our webinar and film library.
Find out more about this Froebel Trust funded research project
Visit our research libraryTo learn a thing in life and through doing is much more developing, cultivating and strengthening than to learn it merely through the verbal communication of ideas.
