Learning Outdoors: A Digital-Natural Blend
I often get asked about my approach to learning outdoors. While I’m advocate for hands-on discovery with natural materials, I’ve also enjoyed combining edtech—specifically, the iPad. I find it a useful tool for bridging the gap between the outdoors and the classroom, creating an engaging experience for learners. Here’s how I use iPads to enhance […]
15 Years Going Strong: A Community Built and Bonded in the Great Outdoors!
Our Edinburgh University Outdoor Education MSc cohort recently celebrated our 15-year anniversary, a testament to the powerful community we built and the enduring love for nature that brought us together. Looking back on my time at the University of Edinburgh, one of the best years of my life was spent canoeing down the River Spey, […]
Learning English Outdoors: Phonics Fun in the Sun 🌞
The suns out!!! It’s the perfect time to take learning outdoors! Today, our brilliant KS1 EAL(English ad a second language) learners embarked on an exciting alphabet hunt across the playground! But the fun didn’t stop there! We brought the learning full circle by using our trusty phonics disks to build different words. This hands-on approach […]
Father’s Hope: Nurturing Our Children’s Connection to Nature
Watching my daughter stare in wide-eyed wonder at the great outdoors fills me with a teacher’s resolve. This natural connection, blossoming at such a young age, must be nurtured. In our fast-paced world, many children lack regular access to nature. Busy schedules, urban living, and safety concerns can create a barrier to exploring the wonders […]
Enhance Your Neurodivergent Students School Experience: Get Outdoors!
Do you have neurodivergent students struggling to focus in the classroom? An option that could help is to get outdoors! Research shows that outdoor learning is great for all kids. 👉Learning outside is not just about fresh air and fun. It also helps: 🌱Reduce stress and anxiety: Nature’s calming influence helps regulate emotions. 🌱Improve focus […]
Miniature Gardens: Bring nature into the classroom
The KS2 children had a wonderful time learning about their class book “The Hobbit” while designing and growing their own “Shire” inspired gardens. Benefits of minianture gardens: 1.Hands-on learning: Develops fine motor skills and observation abilities. 2.STEM education: Explore plant life cycles, ecosystems, and geology. 3.Creativity: Encourages imaginative play and problem-solving. 4 Sustainability: Teaches about […]
Outdoor Learning: Benefits Teacher’s Aswell
Teaching in a traditional classroom can sometimes feel like a whirlwind of noise, visual stimuli, and schedules. This can be especially challenging for neurodivergent educators who may find the sensory overload overwhelming. How Outdoor Learning Can Benefit Teachers Sensory Break: Spending time outdoors provides a much-needed sensory break. The natural environment offers a calmer, less […]
Outdoor Learning Equipment: Less can mean more?
Many teachers love incorporating outdoor learning into our curriculum, but the pressure to create and manage elaborate outdoor equipment setups can feel overwhelming (time a lot if teachers may not have). The truth is, children thrive on simple exploration and open-ended play. So maybe you don’t need the pinterest-perfect mud kitchen and instead make it […]
Beyond Words: Decoding Nonverbal Communication in Students with ADHD 🧠
As teachers we Look for ways to unlock deeper connections and understanding with our ADHD students? I recently did a little research around this topic and found that the key 🔑 might lie beyond spoken words. Nonverbal communication (NVC) plays a critical role in the classroom. Facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice can […]
Continual Professional Development: Not just about ticking boxes
Continual Professional Development (CPD) isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s a journey of growth for both educators and students. Here are some things I have learned from others and from my own experiences: 🤝 Collaborative and Flexible – Effective CPD should be reflective and collaborative. When participants are actively involved in CPD sessions, it’s […]