About this event
Interested in connecting with fellow educators?
The Early Childhood Hoosiers Outdoors (ECHO) Network is designed to support education practitioners wanting to get students into outdoor learning settings. We meet on the second Monday of odd months at 4 pm by zoom.
Due to fears around injury, liability and judgement, some childhood activities are being limited, such as tree climbing. Join us, led by Dr. Carla Gull, to explore the benefits, as well as the risks of risky play and tree climbing as we discuss how to get more comfortable with risky play during September’s ECHO Network. Topics addressed will include managing risky play, policies and logistics with outdoor play, and parental considerations.
The purpose of this network includes:
• A group of peers: Connecting educators and administrators for support, guidance, encouragement, troubleshooting, etc.
• A common space for sharing resources and best practices
• Opportunities for professional development
• Shared advocacy and continuing education around nature-based programs
• Program observation
• and others!
The network was inspired by a surge of interest in program formats such as Nature Preschools, Forest Kindergartens, and Forest Schools; however it is an inclusive group for those working with young children in any format. Our interests center on developmentally-appropriate educational opportunities for children in outdoor settings, whether in the woods, on the prairie, or in the schoolyard.
We want this network to be dynamic and responsive to emerging needs of participants. We encourage you to join us on this journey of mutual exploration and learning!
If you are interesting in knowing more, sign up below to join. Participants will be added to a Google group to get email updates for monthly meeting times and to post questions to others within the group.