Full Course Description

The Why Behind Outdoor Movement: Inspiring Kids, Caregivers, and Communities

Helping kids develop their gross and fine motor skills, improve sensory integration, and build social-emotional connections doesn’t have to happen inside a clinic or classroom…

Outdoor movement programs provide a purposeful, evidence-based way to achieve these therapy-specific goals while also engaging caregivers in the process. From using natural terrain to challenge balance and coordination to fostering peer interactions that strengthen communication skills, these classes are more than play—they’re powerful tools for meaningful growth and development.

Designing these classes allows you to step outside the clinic, use your expertise in a way that feels impactful, and even spend more time with your own kids.

In this training, I’ll share the why behind outdoor movement programs and show you how they can transform the way kids grow, play, and connect. You’ll hear real-life success stories, like how one child with sensory processing challenges grew more confident and engaged through nature-based activities, and I’ll provide you with actionable steps to implement these programs in your own practice.

Whether you’re looking to expand your offerings, start a business you enjoy, or find more balance in your work and life, this module is the perfect place to start. Let’s get outside and make a difference together!

Key Takeaways:

Discover how outdoor movement classes create lasting benefits for kids, caregivers, and therapists
Explore the physical, emotional, and social advantages of nature-based activities
Gain inspiration to start your own outdoor program from real-life success stories

Program Information

Objectives

Identify three specific ways outdoor movement classes support motor, sensory, and social skill development in children ages 2-6 and explain how these skills translate to functional outcomes.
Describe two key benefits of outdoor activities for caregivers and how these improve caregiver-child relationships and daily routines.
Develop a basic outline for an outdoor movement program by evaluating activity design, participant engagement strategies, and functional goals for children and families.

Outline

Why Outdoor Movement Matters

Impact of outdoor movement on child development and your professional role
Explore key research that highlight its benefits
Identify why therapists, educators, and caregivers are ideal leaders for these programs

Unlock Physical Potential of Outdoor Movement

Outdoor activities to promote gross and fine motor development
Tips to design-sensory rich experiences: terrain, materials etc.
Play based approaches to build strength, coordination, and endurance

Boost Emotional and Social Development with Proven Tactics

Creative approaches to help kids manage stress and build resilience
Expert tips to facilitate cooperative play
How to design caregiver-child activities that enhance connection

Nature: Your New FAVORITE Therapeutic Partner

Simple ways to incorporate natural elements for functional therapy activities
Use nature’s sounds, smells and textures to promote focus and calm
Best ways to adapt activities to meet the needs ADHD, autism, or sensory challenges

Functional Outcomes for Real-Life Success

Activities that translate into real-world daily functions: dressing, navigation
Tools to develop skills that support classroom readiness and attention
Best practices to empower caregivers to continue progress at home

Real-Life Success Stories and Case Studies

Explore case studies of kids who thrived through outdoor movement
Analyze how programs were adapted to meet unique goals
Case study: Lily (4 years old) – from shy to social via outdoor movement classes

Target Audience

Educators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 07/01/2025

From Start Up to Success

If you're a rehab or movement professional looking to expand your impact, outdoor classes are one of the most effective (and fun!) ways to do it. People are craving movement experiences that are engaging, social, and different from the traditional clinic or fitness setting. And let’s be real—you didn’t enter this profession just to write SOAP notes and fight with insurance companies. Running outdoor classes gives you more autonomy, allows you to work in alignment with your values, and creates a scalable income stream that’s not tied to the traditional healthcare grind.

But here’s the catch: most of us weren’t trained in business, marketing, or how to structure movement sessions in an outdoor environment. That’s where this training comes in.

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully launch, market, and sustain an outdoor movement program—from assessing your community’s needs to setting up the right legal and insurance structures, to building a loyal client base that keeps coming back. You’ll leave with a step-by-step plan that ensures you’re profitable, ethical, and set up for long-term success.

What You’ll Learn:

How to choose the right location for accessibility, safety, and success
The best populations to serve based on your skills and local demand
Ethical and safety considerations unique to outdoor programs
How to price your services, structure memberships, and scale sustainably
Simple, effective marketing strategies to grow your program
LLCs, insurance, and legal essentials so you can run with confidence

Program Information

Objectives

Identify three methods to assess community needs and select ideal locations for outdoor classes that align with participant goals and functional outcomes.
Develop a step-by-step plan to establish a business, including legal setup, insurance coverage, and compliance with local regulations, ensuring safe and ethical program delivery.
Demonstrate the ability to create a marketing strategy, including crafting referral pitches and designing materials, to effectively attract families and grow participation in outdoor programs.

Outline

From Clinic to Community: How to Build a Thriving Outdoor Wellness Business

Assess the Interest & Build a Business that Thrives

dentifying and surveying your target audience
Framework to find ideal locations for your classes
Deciding when and how to start

How to Build Raving Fans & Foster Long-Term Relationships

How to create value and build engagement
Follow up strategies: newsletters, social media, blogs
Incentives for referrals or multi-class enrollment

Marketing for Dummies: Easy Ways to Fill Your Classes

Simple to use tools that can help with your pitch
Easy ways to build appealing marketing materials
How to ask for word-of-mouth referrals – your BEST leads!

Partner with Local Businesses: It’s a Win-Win for Growth and Revenue

How to identify other businesses that would be a great partner
How to diversify, and think beyond the obvious
Template email to make getting a connection as easy as clicking [SEND]
Co-marketing initiatives that help both businesses
Collaborating for special events
Opportunities to create exclusive discounts

Logistics: How to Set Up Your Own Business

Foundations for LLCs
Insurance considerations
Navigate local regulations without getting stuck in red tape

Beyond the Hourly Rate: Smart Pricing Strategies for Long-Term Success

How to set the right price and avoid under (or over) charging
Pricing models: drop-in rates, packages, memberships, and VIP options
Bundling & upselling to increase revenue per client without extra work

Ethical & Financial Considerations

Safety and risk management
Informed consent
Cultural sensitivity and inclusion
Boundaries and professional scope

Target Audience

Educators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 07/01/2025

The Science of Nature and Movement: Why Outdoor Play is Essential

If you work in pediatrics, you’ve likely seen it firsthand: the toddler who melts down in the afternoon, the preschooler who can’t focus indoors but thrives outside, or the child with autism who struggles to fall asleep—and struggles even more to function the next day.

This training will show you why that happens—and how to help.

You’ll learn how the developing circadian rhythm drives memory, mood, and motor skill acquisition, and how aligning therapy or play with that rhythm can transform a child’s ability to retain new skills, regulate emotions, and engage more fully in sessions.

We’ll explore:

What happens in the brain and body during sleep
How hormones like cortisol, melatonin, and growth hormone fluctuate during the day
The power of timed outdoor play to support healthy sleep-wake cycles and drive functional outcomes in kids with ADHD, autism, and sensory processing challenges

You’ll leave with concrete strategies for planning outdoor-based interventions, scheduling sessions around biological rhythms, and educating families to build better routines at home.

What You’ll Be Able to Do:

Optimize your therapy schedule based on a child’s energy and sleep rhythms
Design nature-based routines that support emotional and cognitive regulation
Use circadian-informed strategies to improve participation and skill retention—especially in kids with neurodevelopmental diagnoses

Program Information

Objectives

Identify three hormones involved in circadian regulation and explain how their timing influences a child’s ability to engage in motor and cognitive tasks during outdoor play.
Describe two ways that disrupted circadian rhythms can impact attention, memory, or emotional regulation in children with ADHD or autism during outdoor learning activities.
Design a sample outdoor class schedule that aligns with circadian rhythm patterns and supports improved sleep quality, skill retention, and emotional self-regulation.

Outline

Introduction to Circadian Rhythm in Pediatric Development

Define circadian rhythm and its biological basis
Contrast monophasic vs biphasic sleep and developmental implications
Overview of sleep architecture and functional benefits of each sleep phase

Pediatric Sleep Physiology and Its Functional Impacts

Hormones involved: melatonin, cortisol, growth hormone
What happens during sleep? (link to memory consolidation, immune function, and motor skill acquisition)
Explain how hormone timing affects readiness for learning, movement, and self-regulation

Assessing Pediatric Sleep and Wake Patterns

Subjective tools: parent questionnaires, sleep diaries
Objective tools: actigraphy, observation during sessions
How to incorporate sleep pattern insights into OT/PT evaluation and goal-setting

Designing Outdoor Play to Support Circadian Health

How light exposure and movement support melatonin production
Best times of day for outdoor activities (morning vs late afternoon)
Activity types that complement different times of day and energy rhythms
Link to therapeutic goals: attention, self-regulation, balance, endurance

Application for Children with ADHD, Autism, and Other Neurodevelopmental Conditions

How circadian rhythm disruption presents in these populations
Evidence on nature-based interventions for improving behavior and attention
Case examples or scenarios: outdoor strategies to support regulation and participation
Integrating outdoor rhythm-aligned play into treatment plans and home programs

Translating Knowledge into Action

Create a rhythm-aligned sample class or session plan
Build family-friendly education around outdoor routines and sleep hygiene
Tools for monitoring progress and functional gains in cognitive and motor skills

Target Audience

Educators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 07/01/2025

Wellness vs. Therapy: Designing Ethical Pediatric Programs Within Your Scope

As more pediatric therapists expand into wellness programming — camps, enrichment groups, and classes — the boundaries between wellness and therapy can feel blurry. Without clear guidance, professionals risk either limiting their services unnecessarily or unintentionally providing skilled care without appropriate evaluation.

This course equips occupational therapy and physical therapy professionals with a practical, real-world framework to confidently design pediatric wellness programs that promote participation, development, and function — while clearly understanding when skilled therapy is required. Through case examples, dual-pathway planning tools, and decision trees, participants will learn how to safely structure both wellness services and therapy services, apply appropriate screening and consent processes, and ensure ethical, compliant care for children.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between skilled pediatric therapy services and wellness programming using intent, assessment, and individualization factors.
Apply intake screening and inclusion criteria to determine appropriate participation in pediatric wellness programs versus the need for skilled evaluation and intervention.
Design developmentally appropriate, participation-focused activities for children ages 3–8 that align with functional outcomes in both wellness and therapeutic contexts.
Implement compliant documentation, consent processes, and marketing language that accurately reflect service scope and protect ethical boundaries in pediatric practice.

Outline

Section 1: Wellness vs. Therapy — The Core Framework

Intent + Assessment + Individualization model
How wellness and therapy serve different (but complementary) roles
Why both pathways support participation and functional development

Section 2: Understanding Scope, Practice Acts, and Compliance

High-level review of state practice acts
Review of AOTA Practice Smart! (Choosing Wisely) guidance
Role of OTs and PTs in prevention, wellness, and health promotion

Section 3: Screening and Inclusion — Making the Right Call

Screening tools to guide appropriate participation in wellness groups
Red flags that indicate skilled evaluation is needed
Intake and consent language that protects families and clinician

Section 4: Program Design — The Dual Pathway Approach

Activity design using side-by-side “Wellness vs. Therapy” comparisons:
- Motor coordination groups o Sensory-motor play
- Parent-child regulation classes
- Handwriting enrichment
Linking all activities to meaningful participation (play, ADLs, school readiness)

Section 5: Case Studies — Applying the Dual Pathway Lens

Kindergarten readiness groups
Motor skill boot camps
Parent education workshops
Summer handwriting camps

Section 6: Documentation, Marketing, and Communication

What to document for wellness vs. therapy
Safe marketing language for wellness programs
Teaching parents and referral sources about program scope

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants

Copyright : 07/09/2025

Overcoming Challenges: Weather, Refunds, and Lessons Learned

Even the best-planned outdoor classes come with curveballs — unexpected weather, last-minute cancellations, or a class that simply didn’t go the way you hoped. This module gives you practical tools to handle the messy parts of running outdoor programs with confidence and professionalism. Learn how to create policies that protect your business, keep participants happy, and turn small setbacks into valuable learning experiences that make your classes even stronger over time.

Program Information

Outline

Weather & Environmental Challenges

How to create a clear weather policy from day one
Communicating cancellations and reschedules professionally
Backup plans: alternate locations, virtual options, and flexible formats
Dealing with air quality, extreme temperatures, and unforeseen hazards

Refunds & Cancellations

Setting transparent refund policies that balance fairness and financial sustainability
Handling customer dissatisfaction gracefully
When to offer exceptions — and when not to
Payment processing considerations for outdoor programming

Difficult Classes & Unexpected Hiccups

Managing low turnout, disruptive participants, or safety concerns
How to adjust on the fly without sacrificing the participant experience
Handling your own frustration and protecting your professional confidence

Lessons Learned: Building Resilience as You Grow

Using feedback loops to improve future classes
Tracking what’s working (and what’s not)
Turning mistakes into reputation-building moments
Mindset shifts for long-term success as an outdoor movement professional

Copyright : 07/09/2025

Winter Wonders: How to Adapt Outdoor Classes for Cold Weather

Snow? Freezing temps? Perfect.

While everyone else shuts down for the winter, you’ll be out there building a reputation — and a thriving business — as the instructor who knows how to deliver safe, fun, and wildly effective outdoor classes year-round. This module gives you the exact strategies to keep clients moving (and paying) when the weather turns cold. You’ll learn how to master the gear, dial in your programming, and turn winter into a competitive advantage that most instructors completely waste. The cold is coming — make sure you’re ready to own it.

Program Information

Outline

I. Stop Hibernating: Why Winter is a Business Opportunity

The myth of the off-season — and how to crush it
What makes winter classes addictive for your die-hard clients
Positioning yourself as the go-to all-weather instructor

II. Know the Risks, Control the Variables

What cold does to the body (and how to program accordingly)
Who should modify, and who can handle more
The non-negotiables of safety: hypothermia, frostbite, and cold-weather injury

III. The Cold-Weather Gear Playbook

Must-have gear that keeps you and your clients safe, warm, and mobile
What footwear works (and what will land you on your butt)
Surface management: snow, ice, and unpredictable terrain

IV. Programming That Works in the Cold

How to structure workouts so clients feel energized, not frozen
The golden rule of winter warm-ups
Creative drills, games, and seasonal themes that keep engagement high
Adjusting class times and formats for maximum attendance

V. Winter Marketing Moves

Messaging that flips winter from obstacle to opportunity
Seasonal packages, loyalty incentives, and “cold weather bragging rights”
Building a winter community that keeps people coming back

VI. Real-World Wins (and Fails)

What top instructors have learned running cold-weather programs
Common rookie mistakes to avoid

The Clinical Power of Messy Play: Mud Kitchens for Sensory, Motor, and Self-Regulation Development

Messy play isn’t just about fun — it’s a powerful, evidence-informed intervention tool for addressing sensory processing, motor coordination, self-regulation, and functional life skills in pediatric populations. In this highly practical training, you’ll learn how to transform mud kitchen activities into targeted therapeutic interventions that directly support functional outcomes. We’ll break down how multisensory input influences motor planning, postural control, and executive functioning — all critical foundations for school readiness, ADLs, and social participation.

You’ll gain specific strategies to adapt your mud kitchen setup for different developmental profiles, grade activities for individual sensory needs, and structure sessions that promote carryover into daily routines. This training will also equip you with parent education scripts that build caregiver confidence, encourage at-home practice, and strengthen skill development.

Whether you work in early intervention, outpatient pediatrics, school-based practice, or nature-based programs — you’ll walk away with ready-to-use tools to elevate your practice through sensory-rich, functional play.

Program Information

Objectives

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

Design sensory-rich mud kitchen activities that promote functional fine motor, gross motor, and self-regulation skill development across diverse pediatric populations.
Modify messy play setups to target bilateral coordination, postural control, and sequencing skills needed for school readiness and self-care tasks.
Apply caregiver education strategies to support at-home practice, reinforce sensory integration principles, and promote functional skill generalization beyond therapy sessions.
Explain the neurophysiological relationship between tactile input, sensory processing, and behavioral regulation in children.
Implement graded activity progressions that address varying levels of sensory sensitivity or seeking behaviors while targeting functional developmental outcomes.

Outline

Foundations of Sensory-Rich Play

Neuroscience of sensory input, sensory integration, and behavioral regulation
The role of tactile input in sensory modulation and motor coordination
Linking sensory experiences to executive function development

Mud Kitchen Setups That Build Function

Designing therapeutic activity stations targeting motor planning and postural control
Layering gross motor movement into sensory activities (balance, squatting, reaching)
Texture grading for tactile defensiveness vs sensory seeking
Clean-up tasks as life skills training (sequencing, bilateral coordination, self-care routines)

Self-Regulation & Executive Function Development

Structuring open-ended play to build problem-solving and cognitive flexibility
Supporting transitions, attention, and emotional control during unstructured tasks
Embedding multi-step planning and task sequencing into messy play

Activity Menus for Targeted Intervention

Specific activity examples linked to fine motor, gross motor, language, and social-emotional goals
Bilateral coordination drills within pretend cooking tasks
Pretend play structures to foster pragmatic language and peer interaction

Caregiver Education & Home Programming

Explaining sensory play benefits to parents using functional, real-world language
Coaching parents to set up simple home-based versions for skill carryover
Addressing caregiver concerns about “mess” with confidence and clinical clarity

Target Audience

Educators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants

Archived Q&A Call with Jennifer Palmer - Outdoor Movement & Sensory Play

Let’s Grow on an Adventure

Playing in nature has helped me to see what I needed was already inside of me!”

Young Jay is filled with worrisome thoughts and doubts, his mind always racing with what ifs and I can’ts. One special day, small sparks of confidence and curiosity flicker within him, inspiring him to try something new and head outdoors with his dog, Jasper. As Jay meets tiny insect creatures, frolics through fields, and breathes in flowers, his worrisome thoughts grow smaller and smaller. He finally feels joyful and at ease, exclaiming, “I’m feeling so glad to be me!”

***

By following alongside Jay and Jasper’s adventure, kids will learn the benefits of getting outdoors, slowing down, and appreciating the beauty of the world around them.

BONUS: At the end of the story, you’ll also find kid-friendly activities and educational facts, making it perfect for use in home, school, or therapeutic settings, including:

Interactive, nature-based mindfulness, gratitude, and affirmation exercises
Fun facts about the benefits of nature
A surprise bonus activity!

Come along with Jay (and Jasper) and help kids grow their courage, confidence, and self-esteem!

Some Days I Make Mistakes

We all make mistakes; it’s just what we do when we’re learning and growing at home or in school. Mistakes can be big, or they can be small, but no matter the size, we can learn from them all.

Join Kela as she explores the big feelings – and the wonderful possibilities – that can come from making mistakes. In this compassionate and charming story, children will learn effective, simple techniques for staying calm and cool, and discover new ways to learn and grow from their mistakes.