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Supporting Our Spartans: Is it Nature-Based Play, Education or Learning?


Adult Enrichment / Parenting & Family -
Winter/Spring 2025

In regards to child development, it's actually all three!

We’ll examine not only the health-related benefits that come from including nature-based play in your schools and homes, but also how this play is actually rich with learning opportunities that can benefit your child’s overall development (including the need for “risky play”). Would you believe it if you were told that climbing trees can help improve your child’s handwriting? Join our discussion to learn more about why nature-based play isn’t just play. Supporting Our Spartans is a free family education opportunity designed to empower you with a variety of topics to meet community needs. Topics range from self-care strategies and mental health resources to practical tips on supporting student success. Join us to connect with other families, gain valuable insights, and help your child thrive.

Ross Thompson

Ross Thompson has been working in the world of Early Childhood Education for nearly two decades; receiving his undergraduate and graduate degrees in ECE from the University of Minnesota. He then joined staff at the Lab School at the U of M, where worked as a lead teacher, cooperating teacher supervising the student teaching experiences for current undergraduates in the EC program, and as an adjunct instructor; leading courses on motor, cognitive, and language development in EC. Ross then got the opportunity to help create a nature-based and play-based childcare program called Wildflower Early Learning Center in Savage, MN. Now, he's currently working as a lead teacher at the Grace Neighborhood Nursery School in Uptown, and including nature-based play and learning in the program's weekly field trips.

 March 2025 
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  Ross Thompson


High School Complex - Orono Activities Center : Meeting Room 28 and Meeting Room 29
Thursday, Mar 13
6:00 - 7:00 PM

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Price: $ 0 00