People often wonder how a Nature Preschool program could build future readers. Rich conversations that involve intent listening and sharing between children and teachers lay a foundation for all future literacy development. Participants will observe how this takes place during our daily routine. Multiple examples of literacy-rich experiences; the opportunities for vocabulary enrichment; and how we at the Lab School have been meeting Teaching Strategies Gold Indicators in the woods will also be addressed. By empowering the whole child, we are more successful than ever at gaining the children’s interest and, in turn, their desire to become literate. Participants will see a variety of materials that can be used to bring the outdoors in as well.

When teachers incorporate outdoor learning into their day, something amazing happens. Children (and teachers) grow in confidence in their capabilities. Many teachers are hesitant to incorporate outdoor learning because of a lack of understanding or education about the environment as a third teacher. Play — specifically, unstructured play — is paramount for a child’s healthy brain and social/emotional development. Children learn to collaborate when outdoors, whether they’re building a worm house, constructing a teepee, or carrying a log. True character is formed when children navigate outdoor environments. Participants will learn how to incorporate outdoor learning into their everyday plans and how to use the environment to support their teaching.