EP 32 How to Handle Big Emotions Outdoors (Without Losing Your Mind)

🌿 Episode Overview In today’s episode, Ade breaks down a challenge every outdoor educator faces: big emotions in big spaces. While nature is calming, children still bring their full nervous systems outside—and dysregulation can feel even louder in the woods. Ade shares simple, research-backed strategies to help you support children with confidence while also protecting your own peace. You’ll learn why emotions often feel bigger outdoors, what mistakes even seasoned educators make, and the three-step rhythm that helps bring kids (and adults) back to center in wild, unstructured spaces. 🌲 What You’ll Learn Why outdoor environments can amplify big emotions The difference between harsh boundaries and clear boundaries in forest settings Three grounding strategies that work every time How to shrink the learning environment when a child is overwhelmed The power of narrating—not fixing—during emotional moments Common pitfalls that drain educators Why rhythms and routines matter more outdoors than anywhere else ✨ Key Takeaways You can’t co-regulate from a dysregulated nervous system—you go first. Freedom can be beautiful and overwhelming; shrinking the environment helps. Short, simple language reaches dysregulated kids best. Outdoor behavior challenges are normal—and often a sign children finally feel safe enough to release. You deserve systems and support that make this work sustainable. 🎧 Listen If You Are… A nature-based educator or forest school leader A classroom teacher transitioning to outdoor learning A founder of (or dreaming of building) your own nature- or play-based program Someone who wants clearer, calmer days with children outside 🧭 Mentioned in This Episode The Nature Play Blueprint — Ade’s signature mentorship for educators who want to build a sustainable, joy-filled outdoor program with strong rhythms, emotional support tools, and systems that actually work. A supportive path for teachers, assistants, directors, and program founders who don’t want to build their dream alone. 💛 Stay Connected If this episode encouraged you or gave you a strategy you can use this week, please share it with another outdoor educator. It helps more nature programs thrive—and helps others feel less alone in this work.