ExN Campfire Conversation - Ep 27 - Fire

In this episode of Campfire Conversations, Daniel Burton talks with Rhys George, Arts Team Leader and Media Specialist at Bold Park Community School about finding a natural balance between Nature and Technology and how educators can reframe their thinking when it comes to technology as a tool in a nature based setting.

Celebrating success and achievement comes naturally in our task-oriented society. We feel pride when we complete a challenge, overcome adversity or master a skill. However, we often need reminders about the importance of acknowledging the process and celebrating when things don’t go quite to plan, but we continue on anyway.  Our tag line at Educated by Nature is, ‘Resilience through Connection’. We strive to support children (and adults) develop resilience as a core skill that supports us when things don’t go as planned. One way we do this is by celebrating and honouring failure.  In this episode of Campfire Conversations, entitled ‘Celebrating the Friction’ Daniel Burton (Co-founder of Educated by Nature) and Nadia Robinson (Nature Playworker) discuss the importance of supporting children to persevere through tough times. They consider how adults working with children are able to support children in these moments, rather than rescuing them when the going gets tough. When adults sit with children in those uncomfortable feelings and use language that honours the process or acknowledges frustration, we build the child’s capacity to persist and not give up.  Please note: this episode was recorded in 2016, and our program structure has since changed. We are still passionate about celebrating frustration but now focus on 6-12-year-olds. For more information, or to make a booking, please visit our website at www.educatedbynature.com.

In this episode of Campfire Conversations, Trudi Bennett and Daniel Burton discuss why FIRE is one of their key passions and an important aspect of Educated by Nature programs.

In this episode, Nature Educator and Mentor Trudi Bennett explores the role digital technology can play in supporting the development of skills, self development, confidence and coordination.

 Trudi and Daniel discuss the importance of mentoring in our community and the role mentors play. It takes a whole village to raise a child, mentors of multiple ages and experiences are important, and mentoring can even happen backward through age groups.   A key skill for mentors is deep listening. What does it mean to truly listen and what impact does that have on children?  Who are the mentors in your children's lives, who make up your 'village'? Please note: this episode was recorded in 2016, and our program structure has since changed. We are still passionate about multi-age learning, and now run all family programs for 6-12-year-olds. For more information, or to make a booking, please visit our website at www.educatedbynature.com.

There are some simple ways that encourage new learning to be retained and embodied in children’s understanding. Learning in the outdoors is one of them. Trudi Bennett talks with Juliet Robinson, author of Dirty Teaching, about using simple engagement techniques, such as outdoor storytelling, in classroom lessons. Juliet talks about the potential of finding maths in nature for playful and memorable classroom lessons.   http://creativestarlearning.co.uk

Asset-based community development is a tool that can be used to see potential in young people. Trudi Bennett interviews, Scottish Youth Worker, Neil Young on how providing opportunities for teenagers to be involved in decision making leads to empowerment. St Paul’s Youth Forum, Board of Trustees, is 50%  youth who have the power to make real change, including giving feedback on staff appraisals, accepting grant applications and distributing funds. Neil explains the change that can happen in powerless communities when youth are valued.

Trudi Bennett recently visited Claire Warden in Scotland on Mindstretchers’ International Study Tour of nature kindergartens. During the tour, the group visited the Cranog Centre and explored some primitive skills from the Iron Age. Claire and Trudi discuss the importance of linking with cultural heritage as part of developing relationships in nature connection practices.

Trudi recently visited Claire Warden in Scotland on Mindstretchers’ International Study Tour of nature kindergartens and the International Association of Nature Pedagogues’ conference. In this video, Claire clarifies the meaning of ‘nature pedagogy’, highlighting how we all need to work together to bring nature connection to children across the world no matter where we are on the continuum of nature pedagogy practices.

A very important part of the Educated by Nature kitbag is the humble hut (cubby, fort, den, hide-out… it goes by many names). As Nature Connection Mentors we see the multi-faceted role of a cubby and its ability to connect children, build community, inspire creativity and be a platform for real play. In this episode, Daniel and Trudi share their excitement for cubbies and the inspiration they take from Professor David Sobel and his 7 Nature Design Principles.