Episode 107 - Understanding the Challenges of the Developing Child's Brain, Part Two - with Wendolyn Bird

Episode 107 - Understanding the Challenges of the Developing Child's Brain, Part Two - with Wendolyn Bird

Author: Ricardo Sierra June 13, 2024 Duration: 45:49
When we remove all of the 'non-teaching stuff' that surrounds our profession, we educators are left with an opportunity- to connect with the 'still maturing' mind of our young students.   We can have all the trappings and bells and whistles and laptops or digital projectors or classroom props and decorations, but if we don't have the ability to make a real, personal, one on one connection to these human beings, we won't really have a positive, lasting impact.  Wendolyn Bird shares from her decades of experience working with very young children, parents and also other educators, and we dive into what it takes to deeply engage and 'lead' an early childhood program in a way that is soothing, stimulating and energizing. Wendolyn discusses ways to connect with children that meet them in ways that help them grow, which is crucial to achieving the goals we have as educators or parents.   Listening to her stories makes me wish she had been MY preschool teacher, too, because she is both wise AND fun.  The bonds we make with emotionally safe adults is incredibly important and soothing to us as children.  Learning these skills is a profound game changer for us as educators and for our students, which is sorely needed in today's rapidly changing world. Connect with Wendolyn: Website:   https://wendolynbird.com/ Facebook:    https://www.facebook.com/wendolyn.bird Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/wendolyn__bird/ Join the Forest Educator Patreon! https://patreon.com/ForestEducatorPodcast Connect with Ricardo: https://www.foresteducator.com/ https://www.theforestboxforkids.com/ https://www.hawkcircle.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-sierra-5980931/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_forest_educator_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicardohawkSierra

Ricardo Sierra has spent over three decades working in wilderness education, and that depth of experience shapes every conversation in Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of genuine dialogues with educators and practitioners around the world who are actively reimagining how we learn in and with the natural world. You'll hear from people integrating nature into schoolyards, running innovative forest camps, and applying outdoor principles in surprising business and leadership contexts. The discussions are grounded in the practical realities of the field-think less about abstract theory and more about tangible tools, adaptable strategies, and the honest challenges these pioneers face. Released twice weekly, each episode feels like pulling up a stump in the woods to listen in on a candid exchange between colleagues. Whether you're directly involved in outdoor programming, curious about the intersection of wilderness and professional development, or simply believe in the transformative power of a hands-on education, this podcast offers a steady source of inspiration and actionable insight drawn directly from the front lines of nature-based learning.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education
Podcast Episodes
Episode 111 - The Origins of Nick Hulley, Social Forester [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:41
I've always been able to quickly tell the difference between someone with years of actual hands on experience in bushcraft, nature skills or crafts, from those with just a little. It's seen mostly in the way that skills…
Episode 109 - Community Supported Nature Programs with Jen Smith, MS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:46
In a small town in Texas near Fort Worth, there is a program that seems to do everything. On the surface, they seem like a typical summer camp, but they do so many other special things that serve the local community: Ber…
Episode 108 - Forest Educator Spotlight: Portals Into the Unknown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:50
When it comes to nature awareness and personal awareness, I've found it useful to see and perceive it in a few different ways. Sometimes I see it in a mythological or 'rite of passage' perspective, and other times, I see…
Episode 104 - Forest Educator Spotlight: The Alchemy of Food [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:08
There are so many powerful learning elements that are part of the expansive topic of 'Food', it's hard to know where to start. When it comes to nature based learning, campfire cooking and 'hearthcraft', we can start with…