Navigating Nature with Infants in Fall Deb Norris August 8, 2025

Nature based education has a lot of momentum in today’s world. With a centuries long history and a convincing amount of research to back it, more and more educators are leaning into the idea that nature is to everyone’s benefit. But as popular as the practice is becoming, the bulk of research and application exists in the preschool realm. As an infant teacher in a nature based program, I have grappled first hand with how to get those babies out into the woods! The logistic hurdles are many, the licensing level rules are often against your Plan A, and pulling strategies from preschool classes can only go so far. In this session, we'll discuss how to set out expectations for the new year while the weather is still cooperative. We'll brainstorm the logistics of moving the routine outdoors, from bottles to diapers to naps, and how to make sure all the caregiving boxes are checked even if we're away from the indoor classroom. We'll reflect on what's possible at our own actual programs and in our own actual teams, and leave with an action plan for how to navigate nature with our littlest learners this Fall.