A Natural Childhood:
Growing and Learning Outdoors

by Audrey Rowland MS, MBA

For children, the lifelong benefits of outdoor play are numerous. When we allow the space and time for children to play outdoors, they have the opportunity to learn to regulate, create, engage and keep themselves safe. Learn how to create nature-inspired learning opportunities and develop strategies for enriching, expanding and supporting more outdoor play.

What's included?

  • 1.5 Hours Video Lecture
  • Course Activities
  • Downloadable Resource
  • Certificate of Completion

Learning Objectives

  1. Discuss the benefits of outdoor play
  2. Review the impacts of outdoor and nature play on development
  3. Develop strategies for enriching, expanding, and supporting more free play
  4. Create nature-inspired learning opportunities

Learn at your pace

This course provides 4.0 hours of professional development for early childhood educators.

Participants are required to view the complete virtual training and complete the quiz. Participants must receive a score of 80% or higher to receive credit for this course. 

Course certificates are emailed upon successful completion of the full training and quiz.

Meet the instructor

Audrey Rowland

Audrey Rowland has over 20 years of experience as an early childhood professional. Drawing from her expertise as a teacher and administrator, Audrey creates resources and provides professional development for early educators, administrators, parents, and policy-makers. She founded Green Space Learning, providing early childhood professional development for educators and creating play-based indoor and outdoor learning environments for early childhood programs. An engaging speaker and trainer, Audrey translates information into application. Audrey earned a MS from the University of North Texas in Child Development and Family Studies and a MBA from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Master Trainer with the Texas Early Childhood Professional Development System (#1743).
Patrick Jones - Course author