Introduction to Engaging Children in Permaculture Course
We are excited to be changing the format of the course - based on feedback on previous courses in recent times, we have six sessions of two hours each to make up this live online course.
Who is this course for? School & nursery teachers, forest school leaders, nature kindergarten teachers, parents, home educators, other educators and permaculturists who want to learn how to engage children in all aspects of permaculture, learning from nature with a child-led approach.
Permaculture is about working with nature, based on deep observation and understanding of the principles that underpin natural systems. As we are a part of nature, working with nature includes working with the individual child in front of you :-) Childhood is the ideal time to get to know nature and how nature works through play and experimentation.
We will:
- Find out how permaculture ethics and principles can be applied to education, in how we speak, the activities we engage in, and in the spaces we design
- Discover some great benefits of outdoor learning, including relevant research, and learn how to create session plans which engage the whole child: eyes, heart, hands and head, through active participation in a session learning about soil
- Look at different garden designs, both in school and home gardens, and get involved in a practical activity (such as testing soil)
- Learn about the different activities that we can do with children and, more importantly, think about how the way we approach the child can enable us to think of infinite possible activities
- Connect with other like-minded people
This course is the first module of our 72-hour Permaculture design course, and a pre-requirement for the CiP Practitioners Course, and as many of our students decide to continue on their learning with us this course sets you in good stead for joining those courses in the future.
Contact us with questions at: childrenpermaculture@gmail.com
This training course is being led by Lusi Alderslowe and Annette Argabright.
This course is based on the curriculum developed during the ‘Children in Permaculture’ project, in which we wrote:
“The future of our planet depends on a change of consciousness, in which the people and the resources of the natural world are no longer taken for granted and exploited without considering long term impacts. Supporting children from early childhood to develop a sensitive, compassionate and cooperative relationship with each other and the natural world is a crucial step in generating this new consciousness” (p. 1, The Children in Permaculture Manual; Alderslowe, Amus & Deshaies, 2018).
DATES & TIMES
Thursdays, 10 September - 15 October 2026
Time:
It is at the same time each of the 6 sessions.
UK: GMT: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm (18.00-20.00)
USA: Central Standard Time (e.g. Texas): 12:00 pm-2:00 pm (12.00-2.00)
CET: Central European Time (e.g. France): 7:00 pm-9:00 pm (19.00-21.00)
Contact us with questions at: childrenpermaculture@gmail.com
There are limited unwaged and scholarship spaces available. To apply, please complete this form.
THE TRAINERS
Lusi Alderslowe is a Permaculture Educator, Children in Permaculture Trainer, Senior Tutor for the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, and an author of ‘Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share in Education’. Find out more
Annette Argabright is a Permaculture Educator, Permaculture Designer, Home Schooler, Children in Permaculture Practitioner, and Tutor for the Diploma in Applied Permaculture. Find out more