This week, Dr. Rachel Larimore discusses practical strategies for documenting children's outdoor play to help families understand the rich learning opportunities present in seemingly simple activities. Communicating this learning via well-annotated images helps educators manage family expectations and foster an appreciation for nature-based early learning. Children aren't "just" playing, but are playing as a means for deep learning.

For more on family engagement, check out, Samara Early Learning's Family Flyer Bundle: Shareable Family Education Flyers and Family Engagement: A guided audit for nature-based programs.

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The Grove professional learning community includes webinars, regular access to Rachel Larimore, community connections, and time-saving resources! It’s your ticket to enriching your teaching, boosting your professional growth, and building a thriving nature-based program—all in one place. Check it out!

About Dr. Rachel A. Larimore

Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, consultant, and former nature-based preschool director. Her work focuses on the intentional integration of nature to support young children’s holistic development by learning with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. She has written multiple books including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade, and Reimagining the Role of Teachers in Nature-based Learning: Helping Children be Curious, Confident, and Caring. Rachel is the founder and Chief Visionary of Samara Early Learning. Prior to founding Samara, she spent more than a decade starting and directing one of the first nature-based preschools in the United States.

About Samara Early Learning

Samara Early Learning helps educators create nature-based schools or add the nature-based approach to existing programs. With our support on the business or teaching side of operations, educators help young children learn with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. Services include books, in-person and on-demand workshops,The Grove professional learning community, and much more. Visit www.SamaraEL.com to learn more!

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