Educational consultant in outdoor learning through play

Jen Fagan Simonsen

Jen, founder of INTO the OUT, specialises in fostering outdoor learning through play, aiming to inspire and support educators, school leaders, and communities. 
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What is Jen's area of expertise?

Jen is experienced in integrating outdoor learning into educational settings, even in urban environments with limited space. 

Outdoor learning through play

  • Enhancing cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development through structured and unstructured play in nature- or on the playground.
  • Designing and utilizing outdoor spaces to maximize learning opportunities.

Environmental stewardship

  • Promoting sustainable practices and appreciation for nature among children.
  • Integrating environmental education into everyday learning activities- hand in hand with the curriculum in place.

Teacher training and professional development

  • Providing workshops, training sessions, and ongoing support for educators to implement outdoor learning strategies.
  • Developing customized plans based on the unique needs of each educational setting.

Curriculum development

  • Assisting in creating curricula that incorporate outdoor learning principles.
  • Offering resources and materials that support outdoor play and learning.

What will your consultancy sessions include?

Session 1: Introduction and Goal Setting

• Introductions and background information
• Discuss your current situation and challenges
• Establish clear, specific goals and objectives for the consultancy
• Outline the structure and expectations for future sessions

Key focus: Goals, objectives, needs assessment, expectations, introduction

Session 2: Initial Assessment and Analysis

• Review current approach to outdoor learning through play, practices, policies, and procedures
• If needed, provide details about outdoor settings, resources and local nature areas available
• Identify strengths as areas for improvement - this could be through data gathering using a customised questionnaire for staff or even wider school community

Key focus: Assessment, analysis, strengths, areas for improvement, data gathering

Session 3: Strategy Development

• Discuss initial findings from the assessment
• Develop strategies and action plans to address identified challenges and possible needs
• Set short-term and long-term milestones

Key focus: Strategy, action plan, milestones, initial findings, development

Session 4: Implementation Planning

• Outline steps for implementing the developed strategies
• Identify required resources, timelines, and responsibilities
• Discuss potential challenges and solutions

Key focus: Implementation, resources, timelines, responsibilities, challenges, solutions

Session 5: Monitoring and Adjustments

• Review progress on implementation
• Monitor outcomes and gather feedback
• Make necessary adjustments to strategies and action plans

Key focus: Monitoring, progress, feedback, adjustments, outcomes

Session 6: Evaluation and Next Steps

• Evaluate overall progress and success of the consultancy
• Discuss long-term sustainability and continuous improvement
• Plan for follow-up support and next steps
• Summarise key takeaways and accomplishments

Key focus: Evaluation, sustainability, continuous improvement, follow-up, next steps, summary
Learn more about Jen
Jen Fagan Simonsen is the founder of INTO the OUT, bringing nearly 18 years of experience in international and Danish educational settings. With a Bachelor's degree in Education and a specialization in Early Childhood, Jen has worked as a Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator and Head of Departments, across various educational environments, including International Baccalaureate (IB), International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC), and International Primary Curriculum (IPC) schools, as well as Danish Forest Kindergarten.  

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