We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. And we’ve all probably thought it quietly to ourselves at some point: Go play outside. Turns out the old idiom packs some important insight.
Nature-based learning, which takes advantage of outdoor educational opportunities, is proven to support holistic growth in children. Whether they’re identifying the shapes of leaves, learning to navigate uneven terrain, or maple sugaring with volunteers two generations their senior, it’s a natural way for young students to pick up everything from core math and social interaction to critical thinking and risk assessment.
College of Education grad Brooke Larm has been promoting early childhood nature-based learning since her training days.
"As an MSU intern at Williamston Discovery Elementary School, my mentor teacher was an outdoor educator," said Larm. "This was in the 2003-2004 school year. She would regularly take her second-grade students—and me—outdoors to learn in every subject, from journaling in ELA to science. We would observe one maple tree in the school's circular drive, documenting its seasonal changes."
After seeing how simple it could be to integrate the outdoors into core curriculum, Larm dove in to learn more about experiential education — in Michigan and around the globe. She lived and taught in Mexico and Germany, specializing in ESL, urban studies and Spanish.
“These experiences broadened my perspective on education and my understanding of culture and community,” she said.
Larm also spent five years teaching with MSU Extension at Tollgate Farm in Novi, Mich., and earned a certificate in nature-based childhood education from Antioch University New England.
"I've taught in everything from traditional preschool settings to international schools, private religious schools, urban public school settings, and even outdoors at a farm," Larm said. "Beyond working with children, I also love educating adults."
Lately, that well-rounded path has led to program development and leadership. Said plainly, Larm helps teachers become effective outdoor educators. Now, through Michigan Early Childhood Outdoors (MiECO), which launched in January, she and her colleagues and partners are working to ensure all young children in Michigan, regardless of where they live, have access to high quality experiences in the natural world.
Through collaboration, advocacy and professional development, the group supports educators and programs around the state. MiECO Hub, the initiative’s freely accessible, statewide community for early childhood educators, school leaders, and organizations that support outdoor and nature-based learning, is the MiECO’s flagship effort.
“We curate and co-locate information to support educators with professional learning and licensing,” said Larm. “And we've heard a tremendous need to gather and build community. Many educators are siloed in their efforts, and providing overall support and connection is critical.”
The initiative is the result of a decade of work, research, fundraising and collaboration. And it couldn’t come at a better time.
“The growth of nature-based learning coincides with technology saturation increases, growing mental health concerns, and the need for environmental awareness and climate education,” said Larm. “All of this coming together is what has brought MiECO to life. We’re positively impacting children’s needs today.”
As Larm’s leadership continues to grow MiECO’s mission, she credits her time as an MSU Alumni Board member as helping prepare her for her recent roles. “The board experience helped enhance my leadership skills. I learned so much about development and fundraising, which has been an incredible asset,” she said.
But Larm’s overall message is that outdoor, nature-based learning is not a niche effort. “It’s foundational. It's a critical component of high-quality early childhood education,” she said. “Infrastructure like we're working to build through MiECO, allows for innovation to endure.
“Ultimately, the goal is simple. Every child in Michigan deserves a meaningful connection to the natural world.”
Time to go play outside.