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Heather Fox

Heather Fox

Director of Professional Groth and OutreachDimensions Educational Research Foundation

Heather Fox has been presenting and training early childhood professionals for over twenty years. Her specializations include, natural outdoor classrooms, leadership development, culturally relevant learning environments and development in the early years.

As Director of Professional Growth and Outreach at Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. Heather coordinates outreach events and facilitates Nature Explore workshops for educators across the country. Her contributions to the field include the development of several training components including a parent-child interaction curriculum and workshops incorporating nature-based experiences with learning for children and adults. Heather works with the World Forum Foundation to coordinate international work in areas related early care and development with a particular interest in understanding diverse cultural perspectives. Her background in Head Start, High Scope and Early Childhood research projects has informed her ability to train/support teachers while celebrating their unique contributions to the field. 

Heather’s speaking experience includes presentations at The National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Professional Learning Institute, Head Start National and several affiliates. She delivers keynote presentation, workshops and outdoor classroom design charrettes throughout the country. With a master’s degree in child development and culture studies, and undergraduate in biology, Heather delights in the intricate connections between children and the natural world.

Thu Oct 299:30 AM – 11:00 AM

WORKSHOP: Designing Natural Outdoor Spaces where Children and Communities Thrive

Explore the world of natural outdoor classroom design using hands-on materials, with the guidance of a Nature Explore designer and educator team. Enga

Explore the world of natural outdoor classroom design using hands-on materials, with the guidance of a Nature Explore designer and educator team. Engage ten research-based guiding principles of design and learn how outdoor natural classrooms can buil

Explore the world of natural outdoor classroom design using hands-on materials, with the guidance of a Nature Explore designer and educator team. Engage ten research-based guiding principles of design and learn how outdoor natural classrooms can build community and enhance educational experiences for all. Hear how it works in programs across the nation, and gain practical insights you can apply in your community.  Have fun building along the way.

Explore the world of natural outdoor classroom design using hands-on materials, with the guidance of a Nature Explore designer and educator team. Engage ten research-based guiding principles of design and learn how outdoor natural classrooms can build community and enhance educational experiences for all. Hear how it works in programs across the nation, and gain practical insights you can apply in your community.  Have fun building along the way.

 

 

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Workshop (90 minutes)Session TypeTRACK 1: Learning Spaces, Reimagined — Evolving physical spaces shaping the future of learningSession Track
Heather Fox
Jeff Lindstrom
Jill Primak,
Heather Fox
Heather FoxDirector of Professional Groth and Outreach, Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Jeff Lindstrom
Jeff LindstromDesign Director, Nature Explore, Nature Explore
Jill Primak,
Jill Primak,Senior Outdoor Classroom Designer, Nature Explore
Heather Fox
Heather FoxDirector of Professional Groth and Outreach, Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Jeff Lindstrom
Jeff LindstromDesign Director, Nature Explore, Nature Explore
Jill Primak,
Jill Primak,Senior Outdoor Classroom Designer, Nature Explore
Tags:Group C
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:It will not be submitted.
Learner Engagement:Learners will engage their hands and minds in playful outdoor classroom planning to experience and highlight key considerations for outdoor learning, play, and exploration. With an experienced educator and design team trained in facilitation and adult learning techniques, participants will feel heard and seen as they share their own insights while expanding their knowledge base. They will plan their next steps towards bringing more nature, playful, intentional design, and heart-centered support to your communities. This session highlights how programs can use research-based outdoor classroom design—drawing on work from Dimensions Educational Research Foundation—to improve educator well-being, strengthen family engagement, and enhance developmental outcomes for children.
Learning Objective 1:Using hands-on natural materials, recall why nature-rich spaces and materials work for children and educators and articulate how particular ten guiding principles to design support learning and growth.