We are delighted to launch a series of short, digital training videos designed for Early Years practitioners, supporting the use of storytelling, drama and nature connection activities in outdoor learning and play.
Through this programme of 10 online training films, practitioners can undertake self-led CPD at their own pace, in an easy to digest, bite-size manner. Each short film covers a different area such as Drama, Storytelling, Teacher in Role, Drama Games, as well as helpful videos of storytelling and nature connection activities in action. Practitioners can explore and develop drama, storytelling and nature connection skills working from their own baseline, ultimately leading to more arts-based Outdoor Learning and Learning for Sustainability taking place in early years settings. Our short video below provides a brief introduction to the resource. Creative Engagement Artist Saffron Gillies said:
“I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to create these films. Delivering Out to Play in early years settings across Glasgow has really highlighted to me that there’s such an appetite amongst early years practitioners to engage the children they work with in high quality outdoor learning experiences, and I have loved delivering a range of online and in person CPD training sessions exploring arts-based outdoor learning and learning for sustainability. I hope these films will make our training even more accessible – allowing practitioners to readily implement Out to Play into their practice.
It was wonderful to work with Urbancroft and Westercraigs Nursery to create these films, and I hope practitioners will enjoy watching them!”
Eco Drama’s Artistic Director Emily Reid said:
“We’re delighted to launch our Early Years Out to Play Digital Training Films. Eco Drama’s Creative Engagement Lead, Saffron Gillies, has worked incredibly hard to bring this project to fruition and we are delighted with the final films! We’re grateful to the Early Learning & Childcare team at Glasgow City Council, particularly Heather Douglas & Elizabeth Kerr, for supporting the Out to Play CPD Programme in Glasgow’s Early Years settings for the last 3.5 years. This new digital project builds on the in-person CPD offerings – Out to Play in a Day and Out to Play Mini Residencies and supports early years practitioners, the ‘Out to Play Champions’, to develop an arts-based outdoor learning practice, supporting children in urban environments to connect with nature on their doorstep, with creativity at the core of the experience.”
This resource is designed for early years practitioners, educators, nursery workers, childminders and more. Thanks to support from Glasgow City Council, this resource is available to those working within the Glasgow City Area who participate in fully funded Out to Play in a Day and Out to Play Mini Residency experiences. Those working outside of Glasgow can support Eco Drama by purchasing the content for £40, which includes a physical copy of our popular Early Years Resource Pack: Let’s go… Out to Play! (worth £21.50). If you would like to access the resources, please contact suzanne@ecodrama.co.uk.
To read reports on the benefits and impact of the Out to Play project to date, please visit the Evaluation page.
With thanks to Glasgow City Council for supporting this work. The Out to Play project and Eco Drama are gratefully supported by many other funders.
