Introduction to Engaging Children in Permaculture Course
A two-day workshop with Lusi Alderslowe and Lexington Love
Learn how to engage children in permaculture during this inspirational, playful course which integrates wellbeing, creativity, science and maths! Permaculture is about working with nature, based on deep observation and understanding of the principles which underpin natural systems. These principles can then be applied to all of our work as educators, including when designing a school playground, a programme following nature’s patterns, an outdoor maths session, a forest school site, a child-friendly garden, a large event, a puppet show, or a home education day.
Who is this Permaculture course for?
This course is aimed at educators, including school and nursery teachers, forest school leaders, nature kindergarten teachers, parents, carers, as well as children’s occupational therapists, child mental health therapists and play therapists who want to learn how to engage children in all aspects of permaculture, learning from nature with a child-led approach.
Engaging Children in Permaculture Course content
During this certificated course, we will:
- Complete the curriculum for the ‘Introduction to Engaging Children in Permaculture’ course established by the Children in Permaculture project
- Explore how permaculture ethics and principles can be applied to education, in our approach, the activities and the spaces we design
- Discuss what it is like to be a child today and the benefits of engaging children in permaculture
- Integrate songs, music, puppetry and movement into your practice
- Learn how to design an outdoor learning space whether in a school, community garden, home garden or anywhere else.
- Become familiar with the Children in Permaculture resources including case studies, the database of ideas for 800 activities, and a catalogue of resources
- See how the permaculture approach enables endless possible activities and links to the curriculum
- Experience a session designed for children to engage the Heart, Hand, Head and Eyes (observation with all the senses).
- Appreciate how permaculture supports wellbeing, community resilience, and health
- Build resilient networks by connecting with like-minded practitioners, teachers and parents
- Receive a copy of the book ‘Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share in Education: The Children in Permaculture Manual’
Testimonials from courses with Lusi Alderslowe and Lexington Love
LMN, a course participant on Ecovillage Findhorn Permaculture Design Course 2025
CB, a course participant on Ecovillage Findhorn Permaculture Design Course 2025
“Lex is extremely skilled at being able to respectfully and sensitively meet young people where they are at and playfully engage them in activities which gently challenge them on various levels. Lex is insightful, enthusiastic, sensitive and adaptable as well as being extraordinarily playful.”
MD Occupational Therapist, Sussex
Katrina Broadhill, Charity Manager for Brighton Permaculture Trust and 2024-25 Design Student
What this Engaging Children in Permaculture Course involves
This nature-based training course will balance theory with practice, giving you practical ideas for you to apply in your sessions and learning spaces. There will be a balance of activities, including music, maths, science, and nature art.
Outcome: certificate of completion
On completion of the full two-day course, you will receive a certificate of completion of the two-day Introduction to Engaging from Children in Permaculture.
Next available dates
Dates: Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026
Time: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily, arrive at 9.45am to start on time
Location: Our woodland site, off Park Lane, near Laughton, East Sussex, BN8 6BP
Facilitators: Lusi Alderslowe and Lexington Love
Cost: £180.00
Please contact us if this price would prevent you from attending. Email [email protected]
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Who facilitates this Introduction to Engaging Children in Permaculture course?
Lusi Alderslowe is a permaculture educator of adults and children: an author of the Children in Permaculture Manual, a Permaculture Design Course teacher, an outdoor maths specialist, co-founder of Children in Permaculture, Children in Permaculture qualified trainer, a senior tutor for the Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, a Forest School Leader, a Branching Out Leader, a Trainer of Teachers, and LGBTQ+.
Qualifications include MSc in Human Ecology (with distinction), BSc in Psychology, Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, Training of Permaculture Teachers, Children in Permaculture – Outdoor Classrooms Teachers training by Australian pioneers Janet Millington and Carolyn Nuttal, Forest School Leader (level 3), Work that Reconnects facilitators training, Branching Out Leader training, Senior Tutor training for the diploma in applied permaculture design, and lots of short courses, such as LGBTQI+ inclusion training, outdoor first aid, campfire cooking, ecofootprint masterclass, PDC, food hygiene, ponds and wetlands, mental health first aid, etc.
Lusi forages, gardens, keeps chickens, cooks, cycles, walks, makes things from wood, and loves our abundant and beautiful Earth. She has a fun, informative, participatory teaching style with lots of diversity.
Find out more about Lusi Alderslowe.
Lexington Love is a creative facilitator, movement & visual artist, musician, permaculture designer/teacher & yoga teacher who designs and delivers projects worldwide with their unique, fresh, fun and creative style , They have worked in forests, woodlands, gardens, arts centres/galleries, businesses, hospitals, schools, prisons and retreat centres.
Lex has an MA in Puppetry, 4 years training in 3D design with distinction, 6 years deep study in yoga & yoga therapy plus 32 years of continual practice, 27 years of practising permaculture with various qualifications, including Social permaculture (cultural emergence) with a focus on people care, regenerative farming & worldwide wildlife corridor link-ups.
Current projects include –
- Artist in residence/creative director on a large multi-faceted intergenerational permaculture project in Newhaven Fort Road Rec
- Creating a touring show/kids online programme called ‘A Tiny Drop Of Magic’ which is a modern-day folktale about biodiversity and belonging, aimed at marginalised groups touring in a travelling greenhouse with puppet/mask show, birdbox sounds system and cinema
- CEO of Fionnlocha Wild Nature Sanctuary – Regeneration project in Southern Ireland focused on land, people & culture
Lex is GenderQueer and uses they/them pronouns. They regularly lead LGBTQI+ meditation retreats. Lex is passionate about inclusivity and diversity; they are a Level 3 BSL (British Sign Language) communicator, Mental Health First Aider and an Emergency First Aider.
Find out more about Lexington Love.