Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

Welcome to the 2024 Texas Children in Nature Network Summit held in Waco, Texas!

After registering for the Summit and making your Wednesday Workshop selection, you will be enrolled in your selected workshop by TCiNN staff. You will see your workshop on your schedule after you have been enrolled.

You do not need to select and add your workshop to your schedule.
All workshops are "frozen" and only staff can manage enrollment.
If you do not see a workshop option on the registration form that is listed on the workshop PDF, that means it is full and no longer available.

Regular registration ends November 30.

Late registration begins December 1.

Once late registration begins, any cancellations will not be refunded.

Thank you for registering for the 2024 Summit!

10:30am CST

More Green Time, Less Screen Time: A New Way To Nature

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Field Session

Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.

Exposure to nature has been proven to be extremely beneficial for a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. As a result, calls for youth to balance out their Screen Time with Green Time have been increasing, but it’s worth noting that younger generations may not feel comfortable spending time in nature, and may lack the confidence or experiential know-how to engage their attention span outdoors in technology-free ways. Participants will learn how to refocus their attention so that they can reconnect with nature in technology-free ways, leading to sustainable habits around getting more green time, less screen time, and improved wellbeing.

Speakers

Sarah Nielsen

Health and Outdoor Educator, Board Certified Health Coach, SG Wellness, LLC

My work leverages 18+ years of experience in health and outdoor education through the lens of sustainable behavior change. We should talk about what it means for all ages to get More Green Time, Less Screen Time!

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Field Session

Concurrent Session, Health

10:30am CST

Nature Box as a Tool for Student Self-Regulation

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST

Field Session

Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.

Every year teachers spend precious class funds on plastic fidgets and glitter wands in hope of helping their students self regulate in Peace Corners. Why not create a free, student driven, place-based Nature Box that connects students to the joy, comfort, and belonging of the outdoors? Inspired by the Neurosequential Model of Education (NME), participants will experience the community building and sensory regulation benefits of creating their own interactive Nature Box.

Speakers

Magda Hernandez

Mariana (Mo) Bonilla

Outdoor Education Specialist, Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability

Thursday December 12, 2024 10:30am - 11:30am CST
Field Session

Concurrent Session, Health

1:00pm CST

Rooted Resilience: Cultivating Neurodiversity in the Garden of Minds

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST

Texas North 113

Presenter: Francesca Munoz Newman, HTX Ecotherapy

Step into 'Rooted Resilience: Cultivating Neurodiversity in the Garden of Minds,' a session celebrating the diversity of human cognition and nature. Discover practical strategies for fostering inclusion and empowerment in nature whether you are outdoors, in classrooms, workplaces, or communities. Uncover hidden talents and untapped potential, nurturing a culture where differences, just like flowers are celebrated. Join us in sowing seeds of empathy and compassion, creating a garden where every mind can flourish.

The session goal is to help participants understand neurodiversity, how the brain develops, and why movement and nature is so important for a child's brain. By exploring these topics together, participants will be provided with insights that will enrich their understanding of a child's individuality and support their growth and well-being. Practical tools and resources that both adults and children can readily implement to foster growth and overall well-being.

Thursday December 12, 2024 1:00pm - 2:00pm CST
Texas North 113

Concurrent Session, Health

2:15pm CST

Fostering Collaboration to Promote Recess Policies for Healthy, Happy Children

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST

Texas North 115

Presenter: Lisa Mitchell-Bennett, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) School of Public Health

UTHealth Houston School of Public Health in Brownsville will share collaborative strategies for promoting the adoption of district-wide recess policies to promote daily, unstructured outdoor play for elementary school students. The presenter will share several case studies to highlight how the nonprofit organization, It’s Time Texas, and an academic institution are working together to advocate for and support the implementation of local recess policies, as well as develop a comprehensive toolkit to help parents, school district staff, and community members participate in these efforts across the Rio Grande Valley.

Thursday December 12, 2024 2:15pm - 3:15pm CST
Texas North 115

Concurrent Session, Health

Texas Children in Nature Network Summit 2024

From $45.00