Fenner Nature Center, in partnership with PNC, is proud to present a professional development training series for early childhood educators, administrators, and education professionals. Each seminar will focus on various aspects of the practical application of student-directed learning and the introduction of nature based philosophies into your classrooms.
Professional Development Training Series Schedule
“Bringing Nature Into the Indoor & Outdoor Classrooms” – FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING
August 26, 2022 – 10:00am-1:00pm
There’s a continuum of practice within nature-based early childhood education. One of the most common places for programs to begin integrating nature is indoors—both physically and through planned activities. Participants will leave the workshop with concrete ways to integrate nature into the physical environment as well as teacher-led activities such as large- and small-groups.
“Introduction to Fenner’s Lending Library”
October 21, 2022 – 10:00am-1:00pm
Dive deep into student directed learning and define and develop strategies of using this pedagogy as a means of supporting active learning in your classroom. Participants will end their day by exploring some of the more than fifteen hundred provocations, invitations, and resources that Fenner has assembled as part of the PNC Lending Library available to you as early learning professionals in the Capital region. This seminar is designed for those interested in enrolling in the lending library and will offer insight on how to navigate within the circulation portal.
“Planning for Play and Intentionally Connecting Children’s Interests with Curricular Goals”
November 11, 2022 – 10:00am-1:00pm
It sounds counterintuitive, but an emergent curriculum that is rooted in play and driven by children’s interests requires intentional planning. This session will focus on intentional planning that connects play to children’s interests, events happening in the natural world, and broader curricular goals.
“Outdoor Atelier Training & Consultation”
May 12, 2023 – 10:00am- 4:00pm
Young children need a rich workshop environment to create and make sense of the world around them. This includes outdoor play areas which serve as an extension of the classroom. This full-day workshop will focus specifically on designing natural outdoor play areas—for any budget—that support children’s holistic development. We’ll address design principles, licensing regulations, and how to bring the play area to life once it’s built—and much more!