Learning for Sustainability, Early Years - Caring for our Outdoors Spaces

This online workshop will look at the importance of Learning for Sustainability (LfS) in Early Years play and learning and will use  Out to Play - caring for our outdoor spaces - Thrive Outdoors as a key resource for informing good practice. 

The session is particularly aimed at anyone working with families and with children aged 0 to 5 years. 

In Scotland, all children are entitled to LfS - that is, learning and play that explores how we care, hope and act for people and the planet. It is about making the world fairer - both now and in the future. For more information on Learning for Sustainability and how it impact of educators, learners and families Sustainable learning settings practitioner guide | Resources | Education Scotland

In this session we will: 

• explore ways that taking learning and play outdoors and into the real world can make learning impactful and meaningful for all learners
• find out how learning outdoors can connect us to our immediate community and environment and inspire us to begin to act local think global
• share resources and ideas that will help you develop your practice to support the needs and interested of your learning community

Through sharing experience, expertise and discussion we can begin to reflect on our existing practice, acknowlegde what we are already doing well and consider possible next steps and support. 

Our aim is to leave you feeling confident to reflect on the opportunities and challenges in your different contexts and inspired to use the outdoors (whatever that looks like for you) to develop play and learning. 

We encourage sharing and discussion at all of our CPD sessions. Participant numbers at our online sessions are kept low to facilitiate questions and discussion. Please come prepared to contribute and to have both microphone and camera on during the workshop. 

Carolyn McFarlane leads the session and is the Outdoor and Nature Based Learning Lead at Thrive Outdoors. Carolyn brings 20 years of teaching experience working with children and young people aged 3-12 and has particular expertise in play and learning outdoors and Learning for Sustainability.