Nature Play for Tiny Texans

Course Information This course is designed to help Master Gardener and Master Naturalist volunteers as well as nursery and landscape professionals tap into the growing movement toward nature-based outdoor learning environments in early childhood education settings. Participants will learn how working with early childhood educators is different from working with elementary school teachers, what kinds of elements should be included in a quality outdoor learning environment for young children and how they relate to your expertise, and how to provide programs, services, and/or products that can help early childhood educators improve their outdoor learning environments. This course was developed with funding from the Texas Department of State Health Services as part of a statewide movement toward improving the outdoor play environments in early care and education facilities, known as OLE! Texas. OLE! Texas is an initiative of the Texas Department of State Health Services in partnership with other state agencies, universities, and organizations across Texas. For more information and a full partner listing, visit the Department of State Health Services OLE! Texas website https://dshs. texas. gov/ole. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: Understand how working with early childhood educators is different from working with elementary school teachersDescribe key elements of a quality outdoor learning environment for young children and how they relate to your expertiseProvide programs, services, and/or products to help early childhood educators improve their outdoor learning environments