Bright Ideas
Forum: Minnesota Department of Education's Outdoor Learning in Early Childhood Project
The Natural Start Alliance collaborates with state and regional groups around the country to advocate for and promote outdoor learning as a high-quality approach to early childhood education. These groups work from the very local to the regional level to support and provide training to educators all along the outdoor learning spectrum, from those just stepping outdoors with their students for the first time to those operating nature-based preschools.
For this month’s forum, we’ve invited representatives from one such group, Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors (MnECO), to share their recent success in partnering with the Minnesota Department of Education to develop outdoor learning resources for all early childhood educators.
Anna Dutke, Jenny Hanlon, and Sheila Williams Ridge are members of the MnECO Steering Committee and led a project partnering with the MN Depeartment of Education. During the forum, Anna, Jenny, and Sheila will discuss the development of this project and partnership:
- How did the partnership between MnECO and the MN Department of Education begin?
- How were resources distributed (how did they get into the hands of educators)?
- What have been the most effective strategies for bringing this resource to life?
- What feedback has been received on how educators are using the resources?
- What opportunities do they see for future collaborations?
- How can this project impact other advocacy efforts (either in Minnesota or elsewhere) related to outdoor learning in early childhood?
The remainder of the presentation will provide an overview of the resources created to support integrating outdoor learning into early childhood programs. These resources continue to be available for anyone to access.
View a recording of the forum below:
Resources:
- MN Department of Education Outdoor and Nature-Based Learning
- Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Booklet
- MnECO (Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors)
- Flouring in Nature Research Briefs
- Nature Preschool Map
- Nature-Based Preschools in the US: 2020 Snapshot
Meet the Presenters
Anna Dutke is an early childhood educator for Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, primarily teaching in the Nature Preschool program she developed in 2014. She also teaches as an adjunct instructor for Hamline University. Anna is actively involved in several organizations to help support educators with nature-based learning, including Natural Start Alliance, Jeffers Foundation, Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors (MnECO) and the Teach Outdoors! Minnesota project. Anna has a Bachelor's degree in biology and a Master's in early childhood and early childhood special education. She is passionate about making sure nature-based learning is part of every child's education experience.
Jenny Hanlon is a Parent and Family Educator through Stillwater Early Childhood Family Education and teaches preschool at Tamarack Nature Center through White Bear Lake Early Childhood. She is currently the chair of the Natural Schools and Family Engagement subcommittee for Minnesota Children and Nature Connection and is on the steering committee for Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors working to connect early childhood educators with resources for nature-based learning. Jenny is the author of Your Family Compass: A Parenting Guide for the Journey and is licensed in both early childhood and parent education.
Sheila Williams Ridge is the Co-Director of the Child Development Lab School at the University of Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in education, as well as experience as a business manager and preschool teacher/naturalist. She teaches Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood and Student Teaching in Early Childhood at the University of Minnesota and A Sense of Wonder: Nature Education in Early Childhood at Hamline University. Sheila is a facilitator for the NAEYC Young Children and Nature Interest Forum, on the Voices and Choices coalition, a board member for the Minneapolis Nature Preschool and Dodge Nature Center, and - a member of the Natural Start Alliance Council. She is co-author of the book, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget, published by Redleaf Press. She is passionate about encouraging nature-based play and the lasting developmental benefits of a relationship between children and nature.
