Breaking into the Playground

In this conversation, Eilidh Malcolm from OWL Scotland discusses her extensive background in outdoor learning and the importance of connecting children with nature. She highlights the role of OWL groups across Scotland in providing resources, training, and community support for educators. The conversation also covers various awards, such as the Scottish Junior Forester Award and Scotland's Finest Woods Awards, which encourage outdoor education and environmental stewardship. Eilidh emphasizes the value of networking, sharing resources, and fostering a love for nature among young people.

In this episode of the Breaking Into the Playground podcast, host Carol Murdoch explores the enchanting world of outdoor storytelling. She discusses how nature enhances storytelling, making it immersive and engaging. Through the tale of the Green Man, she illustrates the transformative power of stories in connecting children with the natural world. Carol shares practical techniques for effective outdoor storytelling and encourages educators to integrate storytelling into their outdoor learning practices. The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to find and share their own stories inspired by nature.

In this podcast, Carol Murdoch interviews Paul Kendall from Wild Things, an environmental education charity in Scotland. They discuss Paul's journey into environmental education, the work Wild Things does with various age groups, and the importance of outdoor learning. The conversation highlights the differences between Forest School and Wild Things' approach, the significance of risk assessment, and the long-term impact of environmental education on participants' attitudes towards nature. Paul emphasizes the need for more people to engage with nature and shares future plans for Wild Things, including new projects and training opportunities.

This conversation explores the significance of outdoor learning in Scotland, discussing its benefits for children, staff, and families. It addresses barriers to access, the importance of engaging parents, and the need for training and resources. The speakers share personal experiences and emphasize the necessity of mindset shifts to promote outdoor learning effectively. They also highlight the importance of recognizing achievements and sharing best practices within the educational community.

In this episode of the Breaking Into the Playground podcast, host Carol Murdoch speaks with Dawn from Mucky Boots about the importance of outdoor learning and its impact on mental health. Dawn shares her journey into outdoor education, the core values of Mucky Boots, and the need for systemic change in education to support children's development. They discuss the challenges faced by educators, the significance of community, and the role of Upstart Scotland in advocating for a more play-based approach to early childhood education. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindset, well-being, and the human element in teaching, as well as practical tips for educators looking to incorporate outdoor learning into their practice.

As the academic year comes to an end, it's time to start thinking about how to support outdoor learning in the next academic year. Outdoor learning has numerous benefits for both students and teachers, including improved mental health and well-being. Integrating outdoor learning into the everyday curriculum is a great way to incorporate it into the school year. Even if a school has limited outdoor space, there are still plenty of activities that can be done in a concrete playground. Starting small and gradually expanding outdoor learning activities is key, as well as involving parents and providing appropriate training and resources.