Breaking out: Advancing outdoor learning, affords the learner an opportunity to deeply explore theory, knowledge and new understandings in the provision of outdoor learning environments and experiences for young children. This program is highly recommended for early childhood teachers, advanced Diploma educators and educational leaders.
The program is divided into 3 courses:
- Active play and risk
- Affordance theory
- Intentionality in practice.
Learning outcomes
In this program, you will:
- revise key guidelines relating to active play and risk
- understand and utilise Affordance Theory in the provision of outdoor environments and materials
- recognise and support young children’s agency in outdoor learning
- appreciate the evidence base of intentionality and how it is enacted outdoors.
Target audience
This program is suitable for advanced diploma and university-qualified early childhood education and care professionals who are seeking ways to enrich their thinking in relation to research and theory, and advance practice in outdoor learning environments.
Before commencing in this program, ensure you have a sound understanding of:
- why outdoor learning matters
- ways in which you can create rich outdoor learning spaces
- the value of intentionality and how this can enrich a child’s physical active play
- how children can take healthy risks and challenges in supportive outdoor environments.
Active play and risk course will explore contemporary research, focusing on deepening the understandings and benefits of active play and risk as part of the outdoor learning environment. It calls for deep reflection and consideration as to the way in which risks are viewed, flipping this from a negative disposition to one where the benefit of risks are highlighted.
Affordance theory course will explore the relationship between the child and the environment and the actions possible within this. It will encourage you to reflect on your own perceptions of the environment and the affordances established, and consider the ways in which the outdoor environment can be maximised to support children’s engagement in learning.
The Intentionality in practice course will explore the continuum of teaching strategies in relation to the learning intentions planned for as part of your intentional teaching moments. It will encourage you to consider the balance of experiences and highlight the appropriate ways of being intentional depending on where the learning experience sits on the continuum.
