Inquiry Based Learning with Dr Claire Warden

Today we welcome Dr Claire Warden, Nature Pedagogist, author, education consultant, entrepreneurial leader and founder of Auchlone, a multi award winning nature kindergarten in Scotland.We unpack what nature pedagogy is, and how educators can include it in their settings and teaching practice. We discuss the benefits of risk, and the importance of curiosity and fascination when it comes to sparking a love for learning in children.In addition Claire discusses the importance of observation and documentation when working with children and gives ideas on how to implement floor books for planning, guiding the line of inquiry, and documenting children's learning.To read how you can implement nature pedagogy in an urban environment go to https://edslessons.com/the-meaning-of-nature-pedagogy-in-practice/Website: https://edslessons.com/If you would like to get in touch email me at contact@edslessons.com

Join us for a special BONUS episode of as Claire discusses all things Floorbooks! We take a look at where the idea of Floorbooks originated and how they can be used as a tool for change. We also look at the idea of being an education entrepreneur and discuss how all children, whether they have special rights, are from different cultures or curricular environments, all have the right to be heard.

This week we discuss taking photographs and whether or not it's worth having hundreds of photos just stored on a phone. We ask, "is there a purpose to taking photographs of the things your children do or make?"Join us as we share memories of old fashioned ways of collecting memorabilia and explore whether we are being respectful as we share photographs of our children.

This time on Conversations with Dr Claire Warden we're discussing our favourite things to take pack in a rucksack when going on an adventure outside.Our conversation steers towards how much we appreciate, and how special the moments we have outside really are.Follow our discussion as we blow these myths out of the water!

Join us this week as we explore ideas around gender neutrality and question if the natural world a place for both boys and girls?We come to understand how the natural world equalises us all and how being in it can be great for everyone.

This week we're taking on some of the common myths that surround taking children outside during early years.We tackle some of the things that we often say to each other such as "don't go outside with wet hair or you'll catch a cold" and "don't go outside, there's too many germs!"Follow our discussion as we blow these myths out of the water!

Next up in our series of episodes aimed at helping parents, we discuss the balance between learning from worksheets and "real world learning".Real world learning is the day to day moments that we have as a family that are full of exciting opportunities. Things like setting the table, baking a cake or just going for a walk can offer valuable learning and help children to see the context of some of the experiences they're expected to explore. We chat about how we can help children love learning.

In this episode, the second of a special series of episodes created specifically to help parents we discuss how we can look after ourselves in these challenging times so we care for the children in our homes.We explore how the natural world can help us as adults to develop a sense of well being and think about things we can easily do that help us embrace this unique time with our children.

This is the first of a series of episodes that we have made with parents in mind. Now that we are back in lockdown, we hope parents who are at home with children will find encouragement and support to take their children outside for play even in the cold and often challenging weather conditions.This week we unpack the old adage that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing by talking about how we get dressed to go out to play in the winter time.We talk about what items of clothing help us to stay warm, which materials work the best and other ways to stay warm when it's cold outside.The likelihood is that if your child is warm they're going to enjoy spending time outside.