Learning in Nature: Establishing Outdoor Care and Education

4 weeks beginning April 1, 2026 
 
Time in a natural outdoor setting has so many benefits for children: fostering wonder, encouraging natural observation, building resilience and health, nourishing the senses, and promoting relationships. With the strengthening power of fresh air and the elements of nature, more time outdoors can be an elixir for adults and children in early childhood programs!  
This four week guided course will explore the elements of an outdoor program founded on relationship-based care and the Living Arts, whether you are creating a program from scratch or simply incorporating more outdoor time into your existing program.  Be inspired by the variety of ways other caregivers and teachers have offered expanded outdoor exploration and create a plan to bring the Living Arts outdoors in your program.
Program Details
Week One: Relationship based Care in the Outdoors
Why is outdoor exploration and learning beneficial? We’ll explore several types of outdoor environments for inspiration – childcare settings, preschool/kindergarten classes, and parent-child programs.
 
Week Two: Outdoor Environments
What are the practical and inspirational aspects of a nourishing, safe and engaging outdoor environment whether part-day or all day?
 
Week Three: Bringing the Living Arts Outdoors
We’ll explore how to offer the foundations of practical activity, nurturing care, creative exploration and social awareness in an outdoor setting, as well as establishing a healthy rhythm that builds resilience and wellness.
 
Week Four: Health and Safety
In week four, we’ll discuss how to offer a safe environment outdoors. We’ll explore not only physical safety but also soul safety, and the safety provided within the context of relationship-based care. Licensing and other regulatory concerns will also be addressed.
** Participants can earn 15 Continuing Education hours with full participation and completion of the course by May 2nd. Sign up and details can be found within the course.
 
This is a self-paced course that takes place on Ruzuku, our online course platform, from which modules will be released on Wednesdays. There is no deadline for completion, except for CE credits, and otherwise, participants have indefinite access so that you might return for inspiration at any time. This course does not include any live zoom sessions. 
 
There is a minimum of seven participants but no enrollment deadline prior to April 1st**