Course Content: Outdoor Learning for SEND and EAL Training Using the Muddy Puddle Teacher Approach
This Outdoor Learning for SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) and EAL (English as an Additional Language) Training is tailored to empower educators with strategies to create inclusive, impactful, and accessible outdoor learning experiences. Rooted in the Muddy Puddle Teacher (MPT) approach, this course emphasizes creativity, adaptability, and sustainability to ensure every learner thrives in an outdoor setting.
Course Costs
- £250 for full course access.
- Schools can pay by invoice.
- UK schools can use sports and pupil premium.
Course Goals
- Understand the unique benefits of outdoor learning for SEND and EAL learners.
- Learn how to adapt outdoor activities to meet diverse needs.
- Equip educators with tools for language development, sensory exploration, and social-emotional growth.
- Promote inclusion and environmental stewardship through outdoor learning.
- Build confidence in delivering curriculum-aligned, inclusive outdoor lessons.
Course Timeline
- 4 hours of learning: Flexible, self-paced format.
- 1-year access to course materials, resources, and downloadable content.
- Ask us a Question
Course Modules
Module 1: Why Outdoor Learning for SEND and EAL Learners?
- Learning Objectives:
- Explore the benefits of outdoor learning for diverse learners.
- Understand how nature supports language acquisition, sensory regulation, and social skills.
- Key Topics:
- Benefits for cognitive, emotional, and physical development.
- Building confidence and engagement through outdoor activities.
- Practical Task:
- Reflect on your current practices and identify opportunities to enhance outdoor learning for SEND and EAL learners.
Module 2: Designing Inclusive Outdoor Activities
- Learning Objectives:
- Adapt outdoor lessons for sensory, cognitive, and language needs.
- Create activities that promote engagement and inclusion.
- Key Topics:
- Using natural resources for language and sensory-rich learning.
- Structuring outdoor sessions with clear, adaptable goals.
- Visual aids, gestures, and multisensory strategies for EAL learners.
- Practical Task:
- Plan an inclusive outdoor lesson for a mixed-ability group.
Module 3: Sensory Exploration and Emotional Regulation Outdoors
- Learning Objectives:
- Use outdoor spaces to support sensory needs and emotional well-being.
- Create calming and stimulating sensory experiences.
- Key Topics:
- Designing sensory trails and using tactile resources.
- Mindfulness and grounding activities in nature.
- Helping students regulate emotions through outdoor play.
- Practical Task:
- Design a sensory activity that supports emotional regulation.
Module 4: Language Development for EAL Learners Outdoors
- Learning Objectives:
- Foster vocabulary-building and communication skills through outdoor activities.
- Create a supportive environment for language acquisition.
- Key Topics:
- Storytelling and role-play in natural settings.
- Language games using natural materials (e.g., stick letters, word scavenger hunts).
- Encouraging peer interactions to support language development.
- Practical Task:
- Plan a language-focused outdoor activity for EAL learners.
Module 5: Collaboration and Social Skill Building
- Learning Objectives:
- Encourage teamwork, turn-taking, and social interaction in outdoor settings.
- Use group activities to build peer relationships.
- Key Topics:
- Cooperative games and group problem-solving challenges.
- Using outdoor activities to foster communication and collaboration.
- Strategies for integrating SEND and EAL learners into group tasks.
- Practical Task:
- Design a team-building activity for SEND and EAL learners.
Module 6: Risk Management and Accessibility Outdoors
- Learning Objectives:
- Ensure outdoor spaces are safe, accessible, and inclusive.
- Learn how to conduct detailed risk assessments for outdoor activities.
- Key Topics:
- Accessibility considerations for diverse needs.
- Adapting spaces and resources for inclusivity.
- Emergency planning for outdoor settings.
- Practical Task:
- Create a risk assessment for an outdoor activity involving SEND and EAL learners.
Course Resources
- Inclusive lesson plan templates for outdoor activities.
- Printable visual aids and task cards for EAL learners.
- Sensory trail and activity design guides.
- Risk assessment and safety planning templates.
- Seasonal activity ideas for SEND and EAL learners.
Certification
Participants who complete the course will receive:
- A Certificate in Outdoor Learning for SEND and EAL using the Muddy Puddle Teacher approach.
- Access to exclusive resources for one year.
Outdoor learning offers a dynamic and inclusive approach to education, particularly benefiting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and those learning English as an Additional Language (EAL). Educators can create engaging, multisensory experiences that cater to diverse learning needs by moving beyond traditional classroom settings.
1. Enhancing Engagement Through Multisensory Experiences
Outdoor environments provide rich sensory stimuli that can captivate students’ attention and enhance learning. For SEND students, activities like nature walks or tactile exploration can improve sensory processing and cognitive development. Similarly, EAL learners benefit from contextual learning, where language is tied to real-world experiences, aiding comprehension and retention.
2. Promoting Physical and Mental Well-being
Regular outdoor activities have been linked to improved physical health and reduced stress levels. For SEND and EAL children, outdoor learning can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment. Engaging with nature has therapeutic benefits, supporting emotional regulation and resilience.
3. Facilitating Social Interaction and Language Development
Outdoor settings encourage collaboration and communication among peers. EAL students, in particular, can practice language skills in informal settings, enhancing vocabulary and conversational abilities. Group activities like team-building exercises or environmental projects foster social skills and cultural integration.
4. Supporting Individualized Learning Approaches
The flexibility of outdoor learning allows educators to tailor activities to meet individual needs. For SEND students, personalized tasks can address specific developmental goals. EAL learners can engage in language-rich activities that align with their proficiency levels, promoting gradual and confident language acquisition.
5. Encouraging Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
Outdoor learning instils a sense of environmental stewardship. Activities like gardening or wildlife observation teach children about ecosystems and sustainability. This hands-on approach fosters a connection to nature and a commitment to preserving it.
6. Integrating Curriculum with Real-World Contexts
Outdoor learning bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. For instance, math lessons can involve measuring natural objects, while science topics can be explored by directly observing flora and fauna. This contextual learning enhances understanding and retention.
7. Building Confidence and Independence
Engaging in outdoor activities challenges students to step out of their comfort zones. Overcoming obstacles, such as navigating a nature trail or participating in a group project, builds confidence and fosters independence. These experiences are particularly empowering for SEND and EAL students, promoting self-efficacy.
8. Leveraging Natural Resources for Cost-Effective Learning
Outdoor learning utilizes readily available natural materials, reducing the need for specialized equipment. Activities like building structures with sticks or creating art from leaves are both educational and budget-friendly. This approach makes learning accessible and sustainable.
9. Enhancing Attention and Focus
Natural settings have been shown to improve concentration and reduce symptoms of attention disorders. For SEND students, outdoor learning can provide a calming environment that minimizes distractions. EAL learners may find that the relaxed atmosphere aids in language processing and comprehension.
10. Fostering a Love for Learning
By making education enjoyable and interactive, outdoor learning cultivates a lifelong passion for discovery. Students are more likely to engage deeply with subjects when they experience them firsthand. This enthusiasm translates into improved academic outcomes and personal growth.
Incorporating outdoor learning into educational practices for SEND and EAL children offers many benefits. It creates inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences that cater to diverse needs, fostering holistic development and a genuine love for learning.
