Maine ECO offers a range of services aimed at supporting its mission and the communities it serves by creating connections and leaning on its participants and partners. Our services primarily fall under the following categories: outreach & engagement to build our network,
resource sharing & collaboration for invested parties, professional development and training for teachers and administrators, policy & advocacy work.
Bowdoin College Children’s Center (BCCC) and Maine Early Childhood Outdoors (MaineECO) are partnering to offer an outdoor learning workshop series this Fall. This is a three-part series taking place between September and November with free follow up technical assistance available. While it is recommended to attend all sessions, it is not a requirement. All are welcome regardless of nature base experience and those who attended last year are encouraged to return. MaineECO is offering travel & attendance stipends
Wednesday September 25, 2024
5:45-7:30pm
Bowdoin College Children’s Center, Brunswick ME
Goal:
To support caregivers as they consider presenting nature-focused curriculum and play-based learning to parents.
Objectives:
Play is considered children’s learning, however in early education programs, parents are often looking for other/ “academic” learning as well. This conversation will focus on how to explain outdoor curriculum to parents touching on learning guidelines and equity concerns as we design play for the group.
Tuesday October 8, 2024
5:45-7:30pm
Bowdoin College Children’s Center, Brunswick ME
Goal:
Build a foundation for how to choose curriculum materials: toys, books, and props.
Objectives:
A discussion on how aesthetics and natural materials influence the tone of the play, the invitation to explore, and the value of the investigations we will see. Intentionality with loose parts brings rich, deep, and meaningful learning.
Session 3:
Thursday, November 14, 2024
5:45 – 7:30pm
Bowdoin College Children’s Center, Brunswick ME
Goal:
Considering how to communicate teaching practices with families so they understand why play and nature-based education as well as all the other curricular considerations are important.
Objectives:
To understand how to communicate new information with families, what to share with them, and when to offer the scope of considerations that come are recognized when building new program initiatives.
Professional Development Workshops:
For groups of program staff interested
in exploring an outdoor learning topic
together.
Mentor Relationships :For teachers or administrators
looking for ongoing relationship
based support around outdoor
learning.
Consultation:For teachers or programs that have
a specific problem around outdoor
play that they are looking to solve..
Designed for those working with Infants through
Age 5 in any early childhood setting.
All our services are free of charge.
MaineECO contributes funds to and officially sponsors larger events that align with our mission. See our Partner page for those organizations we support and feed free to reach out with sponsorship requests for your next event!
- Public school teachers, administrators and
curriculum coordinators.
- Those working in grades PreK through Grade 2.
All our services are free of charge.
MaineECO offers presentations, guest speakers or facilitation services to non-education groups as well. If you're business, board or community group is interested in learning more about early childhood outdoor education please contact us.
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