Back to School with Nature: Supporting Social Emotional Learning and Academic Outcomes (Recording)

Summer may be over but that doesn’t mean that nature needs to stay outdoors as kids head back to school. In this event José G. González, Cathy Jordan, Ph.D. and Sheila Williams Ridge, Ed.D. will discuss how nature impacts mental health, social emotional learning and cognitive function in support of academic outcomes. Examples of how parents, caregivers and educators can support inquiry and engagement in the outdoors will also be shared as well as how culture, policies and inequalities play a role in a child’s ability to benefit from nature engagement.

You’ll hear from:

• José G. González. José is the Founder of Latino Outdoors and Co-Founder of the Outdoorist Oath. He is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation while engaging in different artistic endeavors with art and messaging—often exploring the intersection of the environment and culture. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator. He received his B.A at the University of California, Davis, and his M.S at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. 
• Cathy Jordan, Ph.D. Cathy is the consulting Director of Research for the Children & Nature Network and directs the leadership development and sustainability education activities at the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota, where she is also professor of pediatrics in the Medical School. At the Children & Nature Network, Cathy developed and oversees the Research Library and the monthly Research Digest. She works with C&NN staff to activate the research to inform policy and practice in communities. Cathy’s research focuses on the developmental, learning and educational outcomes of nature-based learning and approaches to teacher professional development in nature-based learning.
• Sheila Williams Ridge, Ed.D. Sheila is the Director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota and an instructor for the Institute of Child Development.  Her work focuses on early childhood environmental education and nature-based learning. She serves on the governing boards for the Natural Start Alliance, the Minneapolis Nature Preschool, Dodge Nature Center, Monarch Joint Venture, and Saint Paul City Schools. Sheila has a BA in Biology, an MA in Education, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Bring a notebook and a snack and leave the event with tools that you and your student can use to help support social emotional learning and academic outcomes this fall.

This event is part of our Families Together in Nature program, a series of events and resources to help parents and caregivers get out in nature! Our aim is to remove barriers, offer inspiration and create community. Find more resources on our website and join the Families Together in Nature group on The Trailhead, our free online community. It’s the place to share resources, ideas, questions, insights – and to cheer each other on!