Smart Teachers Play More Outdoors, Iceland with a school visit

Boost learning with play, movement, and mindfulness.

Discover the benefits of adapting STPM activities to outdoor learning to improve engagement, well-being, and academic outcomes. This course combines play, mindfulness, and movement-based activities to promote multisensory learning in nature. Gain tools to create inclusive, dynamic lessons inspired by Iceland’s holistic education system and outdoor-focused teaching practices.

Take learning outside and connect students to nature using the Smart Teachers Play More (STPM) approach. This course combines outdoor activities, storytelling, and mindfulness techniques to optimise learning, well-being, and engagement. Developed by Kristín Einarsdóttir and Sarah Jane Anthony, the STPM approach emphasises movement, sensory activities, and play-based learning. Participants explore how outdoor learning supports cognitive, physical, and emotional development, gaining tools to create interactive lessons in nature. School visits provide insights into Iceland’s emphasis on outdoor education and sustainability. Educators leave with strategies to integrate physical play and mindfulness practices into the curriculum, fostering creativity, resilience, and focus in students while building connections with peers for future collaborations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Apply outdoor learning strategies to teach academic subjects effectively.
• Use mindfulness and movement activities to improve student well-being.
• Embrace eco-choice practices by upcycling materials and using natural resources to help students value sustainability and engage more fully in learning.
• Observe Iceland’s holistic education system through school visits.
• Develop multisensory lesson plans and gamification tools for outdoor teaching.
• Design strategies for promoting inclusive learning through play and movement.
• Build international partnerships for future Erasmus+ collaborations.

METHODOLOGY & ASSESSMENT:

•  Practical workshops on outdoor games, movement-based learning, and storytelling techniques.
•  Hands-on activities, including obstacle courses, mindfulness exercises, and group projects.
•  Reflection sessions to design personalised outdoor learning plans.
•  Digital collaboration and assessment tools for resource sharing, group reflections and evaluations.
•  Icelandic school visits to observe outdoor education models and sustainable practices.
•  Structured networking for international partnerships.
•  Cultural activities, including Icelandic traditions and hot tub reflections to promote well-being.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE EDUCATION SECTOR:

This course offers learning opportunities for professionals across the education sector including: Preschool teachers; Primary teachers; Special Needs teachers; Foreign Language teachers; and Subject teachers involved in Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) projects at multilingual schools. It is also a great opportunity to practise and improve your own English skills in practical contexts.

AS PART OF THE COURSE WE ALSO PROVIDE:

• Morning refreshments
• Cultural evening
• Visit to the local swimming pool and hot tubs
• Course material
• Certificate of attendance

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND SIGHTSEEING:

Join us on our own tailor-made local tour of amazing Iceland with our SMART TEACHERS PLAY MORE TOUR PACKAGE for both participants and their families! A great way to enjoy the wonders of Iceland, network and get to know your new European friends.

ACCOMMODATION:

Don’t miss out on our EXCLUSIVE PARTICIPANT DISCOUNT VOUCHERS for a brand new trendy hotel we work with close to our course centre!

COURSE DATES: