Children need natur & Nature needs children

Children as nature's ambassador

We experience that kindergartens and preschools in urban areas do not have easy access to involve nature in the pedagogical and educational practice. Our mission is to offer nature mindset and framework that can be established anywhere. So kindergartens and preschools in urban areas can get a first-hand impression to explore nature, life and its cycle. And achieves a nature-friendly behavior

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2021

Established

500

Children

3

Countries

Target group

Teachers

Updated

May 2023

Our mission is to support a natural pedagogical framework and community that ensures local development and adaptation. So, kindergartens and preschools in urban areas can get a first-hand impression with nature and its cycle. Our mission is also that children in urban areas have the opportunity for quality experiences with nature that promotes the child's understanding, behavior, and initiatives

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

As an international education consultant, I have experienced that in urban areas it can be difficult to include nature as a qualitative learning environment, as there is often no easy access to nature-friendly areas. With this educational approach, the teacher in own context develops local initiatives that develop nature pedagogical learning environments.
"Indoors out - Outdoors in"

What does your innovation look like in practice?

The program is curriculum based with a focus on an alternation between 6 training seminars and testing and development in one's own practice.

Course Description and Objectives have been prepared in collaboration with NYC Department of Education.

The pedagogical approach that underpins the entire educational foundation of the program is based on the Nordic social pedagogical approach. (And Denmark's national curriculum)
Here, the child's development, learning and well-being is promoted with a pedagogy that includes principles such as care, play, relationships, outdoor life, democracy and the child's perspective, etc. Childhood and play have a value in themselves - The child is seen as a curious agent of own learning.

Theoretical foundation on which the program is based
-Vygotsky's Sociocultural theory
-John Dewe Learning by doing
-Hiim og Hippes didaktiske relationsmodel
-Stig broström didaktisk model

How has it been spreading?

I am particularly proud that the program foundation and teaching material are now fully developed. And that the program, in collaboration with the NYC Department of Education, has been tested over 6 months. As well as now adjusted. Thus, the program is now also ready to be spread. As important experience and know-how for the development of the program, I am also particularly proud of my many years as Principal at an award-winning forest kindergarten in Denmark.

Going forward, the goal is for the program to be implemented around the world. With the focus both on ensuring that all children (also in urban areas) can have qualitative interaction with nature. As well as influencing children to care for nature, with a sustainability perspective.(Activities that promote local biodiversity)

If I want to try it, what should I do?

It is possible to arrange a CNNNNC course by contacting Michael Hall Larsen at info@nordicedu.dk

Media

Program | NordicEdu

Implementation steps

Mapping

Through a survey, the organization's employees are invited to answer different types of questions, which ensure that the project is framed and adapted to the organization's starting point. Challenges and benefits are used to structure the upcoming processes. How many teachers must participate? Who? When? Roles? Together we find out the structure of the process and and adapts the Course Description and Objectives so that we agree on the overall objectives and expected learning output.

Intro

At our intro session we take a closer look at the phenomenon of nature pedagogy and how this approach contributes to children's development. As well as other beneficial aspects. In addition, we will review the Course Description and Objectives so that everyone knows the overall purpose and expected learning output. There will be a short presentation of the teacher and course participants, so that we can start with the establishment of a learning community.

Session 1.

Our focus for this session is to find out which topics we actually want to develop in our schools (initially) The course participants will be presented with a model "Reflection inspiration Form"
The model will provide inspiration for various nature and outdoor educational topics that help the course participants on their way with important considerations and reflections.  The session ends by clarifying what the course participants have to work on at their own school until we meet again.

Session 2.

Follow-up on selected or potential topics that we want to develop through the course as well as presentation and review of the model "From Reflection to Action" How can we use our educational considerations to qualify our next actions? Here, the focus is on finding initiatives that, based on our own practice, qualify our work with the chosen theme.  The session ends by clarifying what the course participants have to work on at their own school until we meet again. (Until we meet again.

Session 3.

Follow-up, knowledge sharing and training of the dynamic model "From Reflection to Action" What is the status and what lessons have been learned. For example, have we gained any experience in relation to moving indoor activities outdoors? There will be a focus on us dividing into groups and sharing advantages and challenges. This gives us a new starting point for how much in the next session we have to work in detail with either a new theme or the model  "From Reflection to Action"

Session 4.

Based on the status from session 3. The process is evaluated and session 4 gives us the opportunity to contribute what is current and relevant.   Perhaps a special presentation is needed; for example "Children's play in nature" "The teacher's role in nature" "Pedagogical biodiversity" Etc. It will also be possible to hold a Q&A or zoom visit to one of the schools that has got off to a good start.

Session 5

This session we will tie a bow. All the knowledge and experience we have generated over the past six months must now be sorted and the new good experiences we have acquired locally must be gathered on a learning platform.
This learning platform will contribute with knowledge sharing and inspiration for future local initiatives when you want to develop a nature educational play and learning environment.