.25 CEU

Jumping for Joy: Supporting Physical Development in an Outdoor Curriculum

It should come as no surprise that healthy physical development for children and outdoor play go hand in hand. Anyone who spends time with young children can see the benefits of playing outdoors immediately: children move their bodies with fewer restrictions, investigate the many wonders of the natural world, use big muscles to play, and raise their voices to shout with joy. However, even seasoned educators may be surprised to learn just how crucial outdoor play is, and the many surprising ways that time spent in nature can benefit physical development in children. Building curriculum outdoors is not without challenges, as teachers must navigate potential obstacles presented by weather, safety, and curriculum demands.

In this workshop, educators will dive deep into the benefits of nature play for children, explore the relationship between outdoor curriculum and physical skill development, and experiment with building curriculum to meet the needs of the children they serve. Opportunities will be given for collaboration and discussion with other educators across the field of ECE, along with the sharing of new resources for rich curriculum development.
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Upon enrollment in this training, you will have 2 weeks to complete all course content and submit your evaluation. Once the training is successfully completed, a .25 CEU certificate will be issued.

100% of this training will address the issues of “diverse learners”

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, participants should be able to:
  • Review research and understandings of the benefits of outdoor and nature-based learning.
  • Discuss understanding and knowledge of young children’s physical development in curriculum planning.
  • Form a plan that includes activities that support healthy development in an outdoor classroom in the curriculum

The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc.

The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc. was established in 2005 to provide professional development and consultation services to early childhood programs and educators. We work collaboratively with programs, educators, and agencies to improve the quality of education and care for young children and families.

IEPD has master instructors who provide training, coaching and mentoring services. Each of the IEPD instructors receives training on adult learning principles, training design and delivery, and evaluation. All of the IEPD instructors have worked in the field of early childhood education, bringing their own experiences and "lessons learned" to the training.

Our trainings are fun, engaging, and are filled with important information and resources. We want to work with you, hear your stories, successes and challenges, and provide assistance to help you in your work.
Patrick Jones - Course author
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