Resilience for Children with Outdoor Pedagogics

Brain growth, 9 pillars of resilience, social and emotional learning outdoors, gamification elements.

Erasmus+ course summary
Sustainability and mental health are two different topics. But just on a first glance. The nature has always been a source of well-being for humans. With rapid urbanization and declines in human contact with nature globally people seem to forget the benefits of nature for mind, body, and spirit. Recently, the growing body of evidence show how children spending time in nature improve memory and attention, self-control, imagination and creativity, sleep, variety of positive feelings and respect of the nature and biodiversity. The course Resilience for Children with Outdoor Pedagogics works on the connection between nature, teaching sustainability and resilience. It offers a set of hands-on activities in nature for students aged 3-10. The activities covers 9 pillars of resilience.

​"Nature is not a place to visit. It is home." – Gary Snyder

---

Upcoming dates

2025	CITY	STATUS
18 - 23 August	regions in Slovenia	open for registration

Dates not convenient?​ 
​Contact us to explore alternatives together.

Status options: 
​open for registration / confirmed / full. ​​​​

Let nature assist your teaching practice.

ReTeaching sustainability starts with experiencing the benefits of nature.

Resilience

Use nature to enhance experiential learning.

Respect

Inspire awe and wonder in nature.

Responsibility

Show how preserving nature helps all of us.

Course Content

Full Programme

OBJECTIVES

By the end of the course participants have a substantial knowledge of outdoor pedagogics and 9 pillars resilience model. The participants increase their leadership skills in outdoor activities. They are able to use 9 pillars of resilience in their teaching practice, find additional resources, and design their own activities outdoors for children aged 3-10. The participants demonstrate a connection between environmental education and well-being.

METHODOLOGY

During this course participants spend the most of the time in the nature. They experience a set of proposed outdoor activities for children, reflect upon their teaching practice, and design their own activities suitable for their teaching environment. The trainer encourages collaboration and exchange of ideas and perspectives. Participants are engaged intellectually, emotionally, socially, soulfully and physically.

PROGRAMME DAY-BY-DAY

Training usually takes place between 9:00 am and 14:00 pm, followed by after-class activities, that are optional.

​DAY 1 
We start off with an introductory meeting, an explanation of practical arrangements and a presentation of the participants and timetable. The participants are encouraged to express their expectations, needs and wishes regarding the content of the programme and learning methods.​ *

Connecting mental health and outdoor learning in nature: examples, demonstration, and experiencing learning activities.

Outdoor pedagogics: foundation, guidelines and principles. 

Resilience for children - introduction to 9 pillars: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with something greater, physical balance, thinking balance, emotional balance, presence, flexibility, and power.

DAY 2
Nine pillars through guided activities: a collection of hands-on experiential activities.

Nine pillars through semi-structured activities and free play.
 
DAY 3 
Social and emotional learning outdoors: mindfulness for children, collaboration, inspiring feelings of awe and respect.

Gamification elements in nature for learning about sustainability and biodiversity.

Teaching a growth mindset and brain growth in nature.

DAY 4
How to create natural trails: design, material, animation, microlearning.

Practice: design your own trail, treasury hunt or dwarf quest.
​
DAY 5 
Narrative walks for children. Nature therapy walks for children.

Forest bathing with parents.
​
Mindfulness and savouring activities in nature for the whole family.

DAY 6
​Evaluation and farewell. 
Documentation and certificates of attendance.

* Some changes in the programme are possible - the content of the course is always adapted to the participants previous knowledge, expectations and requirements. 
​The participants receive the Informational Booklet a few weeks prior to the start of the course. ​

ERASMUS+ COURSES BY PRIMERA

Build upon the connection between well-being and nature.

APPLY FOR THE COURSE NOW

INTERNATIONAL ERASMUS+ LEARNING WITH PRIMERA

Become a member of Primera's international learning community.

Join our free online Pan-EU conferences.

Your network is a family you choose.

Like our Facebook page for the latest news about Erasmus+ trainings.