Curious About Taking Learning Outdoors

Rachel chats with Carol Murdoch, the founder of Love Outdoor Learning. They discuss the importance and benefits of outdoor learning for children. Carol shares her journey from being a primary school teacher to starting her own business, which promotes outdoor learning experiences. She provides accessible tips for teachers and parents on how to incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching or parenting styles.

Website: https://loveoutdoorlearning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveoutdoorlearning/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveOutdoorLea1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveoutdoorlearning/

Curious About Nature is hosted by Rachel Mills, educator and founder of Buttercup Learning.

Website: https://buttercuplearning.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buttercup_hello/

Email: info@buttercuplearning.com

Curious About Nature is a podcast for families, home educators and teachers who want to help children build a closer relationship with the natural world.

Through conversations with guests working across wildlife, conservation, outdoor learning, creativity and child development, the podcast explores the many ways we connect children, families and communities with nature.

The podcast is currently resting, with the full archive available to explore.

If you enjoy the show, please rate, review and follow Curious About Nature wherever you listen.

What we discussed in the episode

The journey to outdoor learning [00:01:15] Carol Murdoch shares her background and how she transitioned from being a primary school teacher to starting her own business focused on outdoor learning.

The transformative power of outdoor learning [00:02:05] Carol recounts her initial skepticism about outdoor learning and how witnessing its positive impact on students gradually changed her mindset.

The importance of outdoor time for children [00:03:44] Carol discusses the benefits of outdoor learning, including removing barriers to success, improving mental health, and enhancing communication and social skills.

Concrete as a Barrier [00:10:48] Discussion on how concrete should not be seen as a barrier to outdoor learning and how simple activities can be done outside.

Keeping Outdoor Learning Simple [00:11:34] Emphasis on the simplicity of outdoor learning and the use of basic materials like string, chalk, and balls.

Taking Learning Outdoors with Children [00:13:06] Ideas for parents to engage their children in outdoor learning, such as observing seasonal changes and using the senses during walks.

The Membership Site and Resources [00:20:42] Carol discusses the Love Outdoor Learning site, which offers over 200 lessons, activities, curriculum plans, and training for outdoor learning in schools.

Exploring Plants [00:21:29] Carol talks about a lesson on exploring plants, including identifying plants, learning about different categories of plants, and delving into the science behind them.

Planning a School or Home Garden [00:22:22] Carol explains the sequence of lessons that leads to planning a school or home garden, covering topics such as researching plants, understanding their needs, and creating a beautiful garden using different categories of plants.