Samara Early Learning

01/07/2025

Dreaming of starting your own nature-based school? This two-part workshop will help you gain traction on making it a reality!

It's a new year, what better time to start than now?! Enroll today: https://www.samarael.com/shop/p/path-workshop

01/07/2025

Join Dr Claire Warden and Samara’s Dr Rachel A. Larimore for this FREE webinar hosted by Natural Start Alliance! It’s sure to be informative, inspiring, and fun.

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-VmRmjh-RQqEIoU1XcUY2w #/registration

12/20/2024

Mark your calendars and register for this webinar coming in January!

Join Natural Start on January 22 at 1 PM ET / 10 AM PT for a webinar with Dr. Claire Warden and Dr. Rachel Larimore, authors of the new book, Reimagining The Role of Teachers in Nature-Based Learning: Helping Children be Curious, Confident, and Caring. 🌱

This new resource is designed for in-service early childhood educators–including infant, toddler, preschool, and elementary providers–interested in more intentional use of nature in their teaching.

Register to attend the webinar at bit.ly/role-of-teachers to learn more about how educators can not only identify, but also embody the many roles played when implementing nature-based strategies. 🌟

10/15/2024

My author copies of the new book arrived! This was a labor of love by my co-author Claire Warden and me. It’s hard to believe, but we started writing this in the Summer of 2019. And, then, well…you know how things went there for a bit.

But it’s finally here! The book explores 11 different roles that teachers play in nature-based pedagogy to support children learning with nature. I hope you’ll check it out!

~Rachel

https://mindstretchers.academy/reimagining-book

09/27/2024

💕

Less talking, more watching! 🔎 Our educators are learning the power of observation in supporting children's inquiry and problem-solving. Check out our latest blog post for more insights from PreK and Kindergarten teachers: https://mmsa.org/2024/09/scieplay-professional-learning-retrospective/ Bowdoin College Samara Early Learning

09/27/2024

Love this project! ❤️

Our educators are seeing science unfold in unexpected places, including play! 💡 “The project has helped me notice science more [including] interactions that I didn’t think were science. Now I see science happening, [and] NOT just the prescribed experiments.” Check out our latest blog post for more teacher takeaways: https://mmsa.org/2024/09/scieplay-professional-learning-retrospective/ Bowdoin College Samara Early Learning Inch By Inch Preschool

09/18/2024

🐢 🎧 The Mindful Turtle podcast is all about slow and steady progress on the nature-based pedagogy journey. As the school year gets into a steady rhythm, it's a good time to reflect on our routines. Are they what we want them to be? Are we creating a calm nature-based learning environment?

This week you're invited to reflect on your class routines. By establishing familiar routines, we reduce stress and create predictability for teachers and children. Routines convey program priorities–like the importance of outdoor time–while also creating community and a sense of belonging.

09/11/2024

Check out the first ever Mindful Turtle podcast episode featuring our very own Dr. Rachel A. Larimore. She discusses the importance of the outdoor play area as an extension of the classroom in nature-based early childhood education settings. Rachel emphasizes the need for outdoor spaces to support holistic learning experiences, not just physical play. She encourages educators to reflect on whether the indoor classroom materials are also available outside, and offers tips on how to enhance the outdoor play area for consistent learning. Remember, small steps can make a big difference!

08/06/2024

Our friends at the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network are looking for an experienced nature preschool director! If that's you or you know someone please check out the announcement!

About Boston Outdoor Preschool Network BOPN: Mission: The mission of Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN) is to meet the developmental needs of the whole child while initiating them into a lifelong relationship with the natural world.  We are committed to expanding access to nature-

07/03/2024

July is the Golden Month* where we hope you’ll find time to BE in nature. Not thinking about how to connect children with nature. Not thinking about lesson plans or policies. But BEING in nature to (re)connect yourself with nature. To rest. To restore. To be.

*The Golden Month is the month in education where the school year doesn’t touch. We realize there are other reasons why July might not be a Golden Month for everyone. The point is not the technicalities of the calendar, but to find time to focus on resting and connecting with nature!

Keep changing lives–including your own!

06/07/2024

Such a wonderful project and team to be part of!

Meet Rachel Larimore, Ph.D., founder and chief visionary of Samara Early Learning and one of our key collaborators on the SciEPlay project. Rachel is a celebrated educator, speaker, consultant, and author of multiple books, including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls, and...

06/07/2024

Our friends at Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center are hiring! If you're looking to teach nature-based education in a beautiful location with great leadership and support--this is the job to apply for!

Join Our Team! Are you passionate about the great outdoors and nurturing young minds? Do you thrive in the beauty of nature, finding endless opportunities for learning and exploration? If so, we have an exhilarating opportunity that’s calling your name! We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienc...