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Why Wonder Roots?
Why Wonder Roots?
Wonder Roots workshops offer engaging and interactive approaches to learning.
In-Person Workshops include:
The time & development of a high quality workshop that is customized to your unique group
A Google folder with hand-outs & additional resources available to attendees.
Learning by doing-- Hands-on experiences that bring learning to life.
The result: Participants leave feeling refreshed, inspired and empowered to implement strategies that effect lasting changes on student learning, engagement and growth.
Workshop Presenter
Workshop Presenter
Colleen Christman has been leading workshops for over 10 years. She brings with her a multitude of perspectives including, parent, family childcare, homeschool, public school and early childhood education settings.
Colleen has worked with children ages birth to high school, and has taught workshops for local parent groups, child care provider networks, public & private school teachers, state conferences and private groups/organizations.
She is energizing, interactive, knowledgeable, innovative & informative.
Upcoming Workshops
Upcoming Workshops
Rooted In Wonder Summer Retreat
Rooted In Wonder Summer Retreat
August 5, 6, 7. 2025 (T-Th)
9:30-2:30pmin Hinesburg$450 Early-bird price until May 31st
9:30-2:30pmin Hinesburg$450 Early-bird price until May 31st
Rooted in Wonder plants seeds of inspiration for wonder-filled, embodied learning & teaching practices.
This is not just a nature-based method. It’s a way to reset and refresh.
Together we can... [read more]
Utilize nature as an element of learning, healing, and growth.
Create spaces where you and your students feel empowered, engaged and inspired.
Key Topics:
Importance of Nature & Nature Connection
Sensory Systems & Self Regulation
Encouraging Play & Creating Interest-based Environments
Hands-on learning & Outdoor skills: forts, fire, forest literacy, tool use and s'more!
Daily Sessions Include: Restorative Practices; Inspiration & Ideas; Hands-on experiences, Materials lists, and extra Resources
Plan your professional learning with Wonder Roots
Plan your professional learning with Wonder Roots
Scheduling- Workshops must be booked a minimum of 4 weeks in advance.
To schedule a workshop or get more information, contact us or schedule an informational call with Colleen Christman HERE.
Fees- Workshop fees vary based on topic, duration, number of attendees, and location. On average, a workshop fee is $300 per presenting hour. Additional travel & material fees may apply.
Location- Workshops can be held in our outdoor classroom locations in South Burlington & Hinesburg, Vermont, or hosted at your site.
Available Workshop Topics
Available Workshop Topics
Nature Play
Nature Play
More and more children today struggle with behavior, learning & mental health challenges compared to children of previous generations.
The cause? Children are not spending enough time playing outdoors and it is affecting their quality of life.
Lack of outdoor play affects learning, behavior and health. Based on current research & data from play experts, child development specialists & practitioners, this workshop aims to empower parents and educators with information & strategies on the why and how of nature play.
Key topics of this workshop include... [read more]
The importance of nature play.
Introduction to the vestibular and proprioceptive systems and their importance in child development.
The art of observation and “dissecting” play-- using authentic observation-based assessment for documenting learning in an educational setting.
Using observation and inquiry to create emergent, child-led learning environments.
Managing risky play-- renegade rules for respecting childhood and promoting healthy development.
Loose parts in nature-- encouraging play experiences
Process Art &
Loose Parts Play
Process Art &
Loose Parts Play
Open-ended materials allow children to expand their imaginations, problem solving and communication skills.
Many of these materials can be found inexpensively (or even free!)
In this workshop... [read more]
participants will explore ways to encourage loose-parts play and understand the difference between process & product art. We’ll explore these strategies with hands-on experiences and walk away with a materials list and action plan that they can implement in their own setting.
Key topics include:
Identifying the various Arts and their importance in learning/child development.
Understanding early childhood developmental stages and how they relate to art and play.
Encouraging child-led environments.
Food & Gardening
Food & Gardening
Let’s Get Real About
Food
Let’s Get Real About
Food
Note: Counts toward required annual food program training for CACFP programs.
In this interactive, Make & Take Workshop, participants will:
Explore reasons to avoid eating processed foods by limiting artificial ingredients and processed sugar and focusing on whole grain products.
Learn the differences between white, whole wheat and multigrain products.
Practice strategies for implementing healthy eating and child participation in the kitchen.
Make and Take items: whole wheat pancake/muffin mix, apple crisp (along with recipes, resources and extra baking materials). Gluten, nut-free and dairy free options available.
Designed as a 2 hr workshopGardening with Kids:
Seed to Table
Gardening with Kids:
Seed to Table
Note: Counts toward Vermont annual required food program training for CACFP programs.
Gardening offers many developmental benefits to children and is a great way for us to build connections with our foods. During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to create container gardens, grow, taste and prepare micro greens, create pickled veggies and homemade salad dressing.
As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:
Explain the benefits of gardening with children and implement ways to include children in the gardening process-- from seed, to harvest, to table.
Implement concepts of the square foot gardening method and design their own container garden.
DIY Play! Make & Take Workshops
DIY Play! Make & Take Workshops
DIY Play! Sampler
DIY Play! Sampler
During this interactive workshop, participants will:
Receive a brief introduction to 7 developmental and learning domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, Physical, Language, Literacy, Math.
Learn about ways to promote these developmental areas through play. (Resource materials with additional strategies, book lists, and links to inspiring websites.)
Make and take the following items: eye-spy bottles, ribbon wands, animal movement dice, wooden tongs, mini felt board, geoboard, lacing board (other options available).
Make & Take Math
Make & Take Math
During this workshop, participants will:
Explore various math concepts through play (it’s more than just 1-2-3!)
Learn various strategies to promote math in everyday life.
Participants will make and take: Boom Wackers lookalikes, geo boards and lacing boards, recycled/loose parts, along with printed resource material.
Past Speaking Engagements
Past Speaking Engagements
Vermont Early Childhood Educator Network
South Burlington Family Center
ABC Academy & Discovery Roots School
Next Generation Nature-based Schools
First Roots-Wild Roots Nature Based Early Childhood
Childcare Resource of Chittenden County Vermont
Vermont Annual Kindergarten Conference
Vermont Child Care Provider Association Annual Conference
Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC) Annual Conference
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