outdoor play

Welcome to the Director's Club podcast, where we explore ways to strengthen the bonds and connections within your childcare community. In this episode, host Noelle shares important insights on stepping outside the office to connect with parents, employees, and students. Drawing inspiration from her previous corporate experience and a memorable leader's influence, Noelle emphasizes the value of personal engagement and offers practical strategies for childcare center directors to build trust, foster a sense of community, and create a nurturing environment. Join us as we learn from her experiences and explore the significance of genuine connections in childcare leadership.

 Let's connect:

www.thedirectorsclub.net

Community:
Join my FREE Facebook group and connect with other directors and me as we navigate leading a child care center together!  FB Group Child Care Center Owners and Directors

Socials:
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WORKING WITH NOELLE AND THE DIRECTOR'S CLUB:

The Club
Discover more about The Director's Club, a mastermind group designed for child care center directors who seek support and expert guidance to maintain high-quality early education centers.   LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLUB HERE

The Teacher's Lounge
Do you want to enhance your teachers' confidence in the classroom through a mentoring program tailored to their needs? Look no further than The Teacher's Lounge, a dedicated mentoring department that you've always wanted for your child care center. Don't hesitate, visit us now to learn more HERE   

What happens when we take the time to truly reset the lives of our young ones, especially those grappling with behavioral and learning issues? Join us as we delve into an enriching conversation with the seasoned Keith McCurdy, who after visiting over 40 schools, discusses the shared aspiration of parents and school leaders to offer better guidance to children. We debunk the myth that emotions are the core of identity and shed light on the crucial impact of nurturing healthy, Christ-centered families.

Are you curious about the effects of technology and social media on our attention, especially with teenagers? As we walk through this digital maze, McCurdy shares the importance of cultivating healthy habits like prioritizing sleep and regular meal times. As we continue, we spotlight the role parents play in establishing structure, guide their children, and the positive ripple effects it has on family functioning and academic performance.

Our exploration doesn't stop there. We venture into the uncharted territory of parenting in the digital age, highlighting the influence of technology and social media on children and families. We discuss the necessity of setting boundaries and reassessing the impact of technology with a 90-day break. McCurdy emphasizes the evaluation of its benefits and costs as we strive towards a less distracted life. So, join us, be a part of this conversation, and take up the challenge to share your success stories after implementing these approaches.

Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions on classical Christian education, and join us next time on BaseCamp Live! Remember to subscribe, leave us a review, and reach out to us at info@basecamplive.com

Don't forget to visit basecamplive.com for more info and past episodes.

Nature deficit disorder is a term coined by author Richard Louv to describe the phenomenon of children spending less time in nature and the resulting negative impacts on their health and well-being. The term does not refer to a formal medical diagnosis, but rather a growing concern among health professionals and educators about the impact of decreased exposure to nature on children's physical and mental health.  

Studies indicate that only 19% of children aged 5-11 years met the national physical activity guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Additionally, children aged 5-17 years spend an average of 2.6 hours per day on screens, such as TV, computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Several factors contribute to the development of nature deficit disorder in children, including increased urbanisation, a shift towards sedentary activities such as screen time, and changes in parental attitudes and practices around outdoor play.

In this podcast episode, I will go over:

• How nature deficit disorder is leading to more mood, sleep, and behavioural challenges in our kids;
• The positive effects of nature on children's mood and emotional well-being including improved cognitive functioning, reduced symptoms of ADHD and reduced stress levels (to name a few);
• The benefits that time in nature has on our neurotransmitters or brain chemicals;
• I discuss the research surrounding the positive impact spending time outdoors has on the symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder);
• How outdoor play benefits sensory integration including exposure to sensory stimuli, physical movement, the calming effect of nature, and multisensory play;
• Plus, the ways we can encourage our kids to get outside, and I share some tips on how to get them outdoors. 

Come along to our masterclass '3 Surprisingly Simple Ways To Transform Your Kids' GUT HEALTH to Improve Behaviour, Immunity, Allergies and Fussy Eating"

Save your seat here

Come along to my upcoming masterclass to learn my 3 surprisingly simple ways to transform your kid's gut health to improve their behaviour, immunity, allergies and fussy eating.

Save your Seat for the masterclass here

Angela Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist, the founder of TimberNook, and author of the best-selling book Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children.

Show topics include:
Outdoor play
Playgrounds
Sensory Stimulation
Vestibular System
and more!

In this episode, Cherlene chats with lawyer Aron Bookman about the law and forest and nature programs in Canada. 

Resources: 

• Risk-Benefit Assessment for Outdoor Play: A Canadian Toolkit 
• Français: Évaluation risques-avantages du jeu à l’extérieur: Une boîte à outils canadienne

This episode is part of Thrive Outside - an online resource hub created to support parents, caregivers, and educators in bringing children outdoors. 

Host: Cherlene Eloria
Guest: Aron Bookman
Sound Editing and Production: Alex Maltby

Tune in to today's episode as we discuss how you can help prepare your children effectively for outdoor winter play. We answer questions about why playing in the cold is important, what kind of clothing your children should wear, tips for speeding up the process of getting dressed, and more. 

To learn how to use play strategies to help your children get cleaned up after playing outside, watch this video: 

YouTube: https://youtu.be/9tY5U3xPgfQ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CI1D2XLFREt/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/112963310416468/videos/3588689367904553

Resources:

Rain Suit: https://oaki.com/products/childrens-trail-one-piece-rain-suit-celestial-blue?variant=5447248019487&gclid=CjwKCAjwm_P5BRAhEiwAwRzSO9bnLUJ2QtUPXWeHqRAip6almq7ISeKlQD6TGK2aXMcF2YLgK-7pnBoCerUQAvD_BwE

Bogs Boots: https://www.rei.com/product/156183/bogs-classic-big-nw-garden-insulated-boots-kids

Tiger Paw Mittyz Waterproof Gloves: https://www.amazon.com/Veyo-Kids-Waterproof-Mittens-Sledding/dp/B076TV2ZM7

If you would like to learn more on how to incorporate our play strategies, can check out our website at https://openlittledoors.com/ to sign up for WednesdayWisdom emails or sign up for our PlayTogether program. 

Challenge us with a challenge! If you have any questions about what we discuss here on the podcast, or if you would like to suggest podcast episode ideas, you can email us at play@openlittledoors.com. 

Join our 10 Minutes of Fun Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/10minutesoffun

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Open-Little-Doors-112963310416468/?view_public_for=112963310416468

Instagram: @openlittledoors

Ever wonder why it's so important to get outside and play? Want to learn more about how we, as early childhood educators and providers, can advocate for children's need for outdoor play? Need more ideas on what to do outside? Then join Tina Geers, from Inspired Minds ECC, and Christina Pickles, from Get Outside and Play, as they discuss the importance of outdoor play experiences for young children and what to do with outdoor play experiences for young children! 

Playworkers Ali Wood and Jill Wood talk about adventure playgrounds and the importance of free-play and risk-taking in a child’s development. Adventure playgrounds are environments where children create their own worlds and build their own play space with a variety of tools and scrap material: lumber, hammers, nails, house paint, yards of fabric, pallets, wooden crates, and plenty of time and freedom. On these sites, children are supported by adults trained in the professional practice of playwork, a unique approach that puts the child’s ideas and objectives first.

Resources:

Where to buy Ali Wood’s book “Reflective Playwork”

• https://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Playwork-all-work-children/dp/1441167684

Jill Wood’s Articles on Adventure Play:

• “Conflict and Play in a Child’s World”
• “More About the Spaces We Love: Adventure Play!”

More info on Bayou City Play:

• https://www.facebook.com/bayoucityplay/

Kathleen Harland, Infant Toddler Specialist talks infant and toddler literacy and how our interactions and meaningful conversations using rich language will enhance baby's language and literacy. She sheds light on how providing children with options and choices makes the world of difference. Kathleen dives into the importance and benefits of taking children outside and allowing them to explore and see the world without the confines of their stroller or carrier. 

• Hello Brain Builder! Try Vroom at vroom.org
• Free full-day infant toddler training (registration link)  | Sat, April 27, 2019 | 8:45 AM – 3:00 PM

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Home & Classroom is an interview-style podcast featuring child development experts and Shorties! is a news-style podcast on what's happening at Brightside Up.