Ep. 5: How Great Outdoor Classrooms Foster Development across Domains with Jessica Jabali

Our guest today, Jessica Jabali, is an Early Childhood and Special Education professional and advocate. With a Bachelors of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Deaf Education, Jessica has spent the past 15 years working alongside children with hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Jessica's passion for empowering communication skills and learning through play in nature shines through her current role as the Lead Outdoor Classroom Teacher at First Baptist Georgetown Weekday Education.    During our conversation, Jessica discusses how outdoor classroom spaces foster development across domains and shares her list of essentials for creating a great (not just good) outdoor learning space. She also talks about why risky play is beneficial for building children's autonomy, and reveals three essential rules for ensuring outdoor learning occurs in a safe environment.    Want to learn more about outdoor learning spaces? Check out The 1000 Hours Outside Podcast—a great resource for all things outdoor learning. Jessica recommends Episode 119: We Cannot Learn Sitting Still and Being Quiet with Dr. Carla Hannaford.  Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @earlychildhoodchristiannet for classroom tips and tricks!