ECED& 137 - Outdoor Learning for Young Children

3 Credits

This course is an exploration of nature-based, outdoor learning experiences for all young children. Students will identify the benefits of outdoor learning for children, learn about the teacher’s role in supporting learning in the outdoor learning environment, consider adult comfort levels with outdoor experiences, and examine risk-taking as a part of learning.

Fees

Quarters Typically Offered
Summer Online
Designed to Serve Early childhood education students.
Active Date 20230328T10:33:05

Grading Basis Decimal Grade
Class Limit 25
Shared Learning Environment Yes
Contact Hours: Lecture 33
Total Contact Hours 33
Degree Distributions:
ProfTech Course Yes
Restricted Elective Yes
PLA Eligible Yes

Course Outline

Supporting children’s learning in outdoor environments
Designing and adapting inclusive outdoor environments
Writing and implementing outdoor curriculum that supports all domains of development
Understanding risk taking and strategies to self-assess comfort level
Meeting licensing requirements for outdoor education
Practicing inquiry projects that support children learning outdoors
Advocating for outdoor education
Defining what makes outdoor education unique
Supporting children’s cultural understanding of land and nature
Developmentally appropriate climate justice

Student Learning Outcomes
Describe the benefits of outdoor learning environments (OLE) for all children birth-8 years, including disabilities and recognize the OLE as a place where development is encouraged.

Explain the benefits of OLE and how OLE can positively impact children as well as practice conversational skills to advocate for OLE to parents and administrators.

Create a plan for an OLE that supports all children’s learning.

Identify and practice teaching strategies that can be used in the OLE.

Explore and describe personal comfort level with outdoor experiences and risk-taking and describe the value of risk-taking as it pertains to children’s learning and development.

Demonstrate strategies for supporting children’s risk-taking and learning in the outdoor learning environment.