Dr. Jen Palmer

don’t miss out on extra deals all over Teachers Pay Teachers this week — including on my downloadable lessons!! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/nature-wigglers

all outdoor play is beneficial— but if you want to focus on key aspects of development to help your child grow and thrive, grab these downloadable lessons now while they’re on sale! 🧠 🏃 🤸‍♀️

head to my TPT page (link in bio), comment below, or message me for the link! ☀️

I hope you’ll join me in my last season at Stumpy Lake! This one is going to be extra special. 🫶

I’ll be taking bits and pieces of my favorite classes over the last 2.5 years and blending them together for the season- movement, mixing, scrubbing, being silly animals — all the things! Then I’ll mix in a little bit of firsts and lasts, in honor of this season of life.

Comment or message with any questions! 🤸‍♀️

The FULL Year 1 Curriculum (19 classes) AND the Fall on the Farm (4 classes) are on sale now through August in honor of "Back to School" -- hope you get the chance to enjoy these without the stress of putting it together ;)

Year 1 Outdoor Movement Classes One year's worth of outdoor-based movement classes for ages 2-7. Multiple units are found in this, each with a variety of lessons to fit different themes while emphasizing gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and sensory play. Developmentally appropriate and play-based with adaptations available f...

It’s time for a reintroduction! Hi, I’m Jen, a doctor of physical therapy since 2015, a military spouse since 2016, and a mom since 2019. A few health issues and then becoming a mom led me down a path to detox my life and live more intentionally, focusing on getting outdoors as much as possible. Having my daughter changed my perspective on parenting, my career, and life in general- I began looking more into ways I could integrate sleep knowledge, child development, and my physical therapy background in order to optimize our family’s wellness.

I have worked in nearly every PT setting since graduating, then I became a baby-led sleep and wellbeing specialist in 2020 and continued working on this here and there until 2024 when I started up the nature movement classes! The classes focus on improving the wellness of the child and caregiver attending in an outdoor setting. Utilizing an outdoor environment and rooted in an understanding of forming a secure attachment, the classes focus on different aspects of gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and other sensory play while helping to sync ourselves to our natural circadian rhythm. I don’t know every bug or plant out there, but I know what is happening in the brain when you touch the bark or step on those crunchy leaves. The classes are meant to help you and your child find a love for moving your bodies and getting outside. I do my best to focus on functional AND financial accessibility, because everyone should be able to get outside and play.

Outside of the classes, I love being outside and staying active. I love hiking, adventures, and taking on challenges- some of my favorites being hiking Mt. Fuji at night to see the sunrise on top, hiking the Tongariro crossing and Mt. Doom, recently running my first marathon, and buying a one way ticket to Southeast Asia on a solo traveling adventure in my 20s (on a budget, of course). Overall, I want to continue learning, growing, and being a good role model to inspire others to live their healthiest lives. 🫶

So how long have you known me? My yogi era? Did you just find my classes? Did you take my PESI course? Let me know and ask any other questions you may have!!

TWO drop-ins coming this April!

🌸 spring-themed mud kitchen @ Astraea coffee in VB

🌎 earth day celebration @ pleasure house point natural area
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Classes are for ages 2-6(ish) though the mud kitchen could very much be appropriate for 18 months up to beyond 6– reach out if you’re in question!

Caregiver-accompanied, 10 am for both classes! Siblings under 2 are free to tag along. Sign up via links on my website 🫶 hope to see you there!