Nurturing Nature And The Environment With Young Children

This book, at the intersection of early childhood and reconceptualizing practice, looks at how practitioners, theorists, and teachers are supporting young children to care about the environment differently. Despite the current popularity of post-human perspectives, in social science more broadly and in early childhood studies more specifically, this is one of few to make visible international practices and perspectives that emerge at the intersection of early childhood education, environmental justice, sustainability, and intergenerational/interspecies communities. The book provides an innovative exploration of the links between children, elders, and nature. With contributions from established scholars, practitioners, and newcomers this book reframes educating for social justice within an ecological landscape; one in which young children and their elders are mobilized to understand, reconceptualize and even undo negative environmental impact, whilst grappling with the ways in which the earthly forces are acting upon them. Specific theoretical chapters (spirituality, nature, critical and post-human/materiality, pragmatics, and constructivism approaches) are blended with applications of pedagogic strategies from across the globe. This book responds to a growing interest among early childhood professionals and scholars for sustainably focused and ethically reimagined programs. This collection rewards the reader with opportunities to critically reflect on their own practice, delves into new terrestrial collectives, and explores new pedagogical pathways. It will be essential reading for practitioners and scholars alike.

Connecting Children to the Wonder of Nature There's a whole world outdoors waiting to embrace young children--with their curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm--and to impart its treasures. Experiencing Nature With Young Children invites you to explore this world with children from birth to age 8 in ways that will - Awaken their enjoyment and appreciation of nature - Nurture their emotional development - Enhance their cognitive growth - Spark their creativity - Help them discover how we all--people, animals, plants--are connected - Engage families and communities in preserving nature Along the way, children will learn to love nature and its inhabitants. And in learning to love, they will learn to care--helping to ensure that our natural environment will be well looked-after by the next generation. Part ballad to nature, part irresistible invitation to teachers, this book will awaken and renew your own joy in nature--and move you to experience it with young children.

From adding richness and variety to learning, to redesigning a playground, this highly accessible text will provide early years practitioners with a wealth of ideas on how to foster creative play and learning in the outdoor environment with a focus on interacting with the natural world. Nature and Young Children contains many simple ideas on the type of materials that can be added to encourage observation, exploration and dramatic play, as well as guidance on what early years practitioners can do to help children meet early development and academic goals through outdoor learning activities. Relating to every-day early years settings throughout, the author of this inspirational text addresses topics such as: gardening with young children choosing plants for safety, variety and active learning making outdoor activities and play spaces accessible for children with disabilities involving parents in appreciating and developing the outdoor space and outdoor activities dealing with fears, safety and comfort issues. Presented in an effective way to develop environmentally responsible attitudes, values and behaviours, Nature and Young Children is recommended for all early years practitioners and students.

How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

Nature Based Learning: Nurturing Childhood Development through Nature is an illuminating exploration of the transformative power of nature-based learning in childhood development. This comprehensive guide delves into the synergistic blend of play-based learning and the natural world, offering a compelling narrative on how nature can become a sanctuary of growth and discovery for young minds. The book opens with a poignant reflection on the essence of childhood: a time of unbridled curiosity, boundless imagination, and uninhibited play. It eloquently argues that nature provides the quintessential canvas for these traits to flourish, creating an environment where children can engage in authentic, experiential learning. Throughout its pages, Nature Based Learning showcases the profound impact of nature-based learning on early childhood development. It weaves together the latest research findings, poignant case studies, and expert insights, illustrating how interactions with the natural world stimulate cognitive, emotional, and physical growth in young learners. Readers are guided through the unique attributes of nature preschools, where the classroom extends beyond walls and textbooks, encompassing sprawling forests, vibrant meadows, and babbling brooks. The narrative paints vivid portraits of children as they navigate this living classroom, discovering the wonders of ecosystems, the mysteries of wildlife, and the cycles of the seasons. The book also delves into the symbiotic relationship between play-based learning and nature-based education. It underscores how unstructured play in natural environments fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. Through anecdotes and research-backed evidence, readers witness the magic that unfolds when children build forts among trees, engage in imaginative role-play by streams, and embark on treasure hunts through meadows. Nature Based Learning celebrates the dedicated educators and caregivers who champion this paradigm shift in early education. It emphasizes their pivotal role in nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious, empathetic individuals. The narrative underscores the art of observation, the skill of gentle guidance, and the wisdom of allowing children the freedom to explore, fostering a deep and enduring connection with the natural world. The book also offers practical insights for parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to integrate nature-based learning into early childhood education. It provides actionable tips on designing outdoor classrooms, implementing nature-inspired curriculum, and ensuring safety in natural settings. Additionally, it outlines strategies for fostering partnerships between schools, communities, and nature reserves to create sustainable, immersive learning environments. In conclusion, Nature Based Learning serves as a beacon for those passionate about nurturing the holistic development of children through nature-based learning. It celebrates the boundless potential of young minds and the profound impact that exposure to the natural world can have on their growth. Through this illuminating narrative, readers embark on a journey of understanding, empowerment, and inspiration, guided by the belief that every child deserves to spread their wings and let their roots run deep in the embrace of nature.

Nature Education with Young Children is a thoughtful, sophisticated teacher resource that blends theory and practice on nature education, children's inquiry-based learning, and reflective teaching. The book’s guiding conceptual framework is founded upon the integration of four key ideas for effective and transformative nature education: • The power and value of equity and access to nature education • Effective teaching encompasses child development domains and integrates ECE curriculum • Children learn best through inquiry-based and child-centered teaching • Powerful teaching is founded upon teacher inquiry and reflection. Implementing nature study is one critical way that educators can integrate more science learning across the ECE curriculum and do so in an active, discovery-based manner. Nature Education with Young Children strives for an American version of what the Reggio Emilia educators do so well: creating a seamless integration of science concepts into the daily intellectual investigations that occur in classrooms everywhere.

Nature-Based Learning for Every Preschool Setting is designed to provide ideas for all early childhood educators ranging from novice nature educators to highly experienced nature educators in a wide range of ecosystems, including forests, cities, prairies, coastal, and deserts. It includes background information on a range of nature topics, reproducible parent newsletters, sample play-based lesson plans, guidance and health and safety issues related to nature activities, ideas for free/inexpensive equipment and materials and for big ticket items, ideas for family involvement, and connections to early childhood learning standards. Chapters are divided by nature topic so readers can dip in right away where they want to start exploring.

Field-tested across the country, this comprehensive curriculum expands and extends the role science has traditionally played in the early childhood classroom. The first in a new series, Discovering Nature with Young Children explores the wide-ranging elements that make up the natural world around us. The curriculum replaces simple fact-feeding practices with the development of long-term scientific reasoning, including literacy skills and numeracy skills, such as hypothesis, inference, prediction, and estimation. A companion to the curriculum, this trainer’s guide serves as an indispensable handbook for trainers and administrators interested in introducing staff to the curriculum—from planning to implementation. Special sections outline the curriculum and introduce scientific reasoning to adults, and eight workshops detail the complete curriculum for staff members. The guide also includes strategies for supporting teachers over time through mentoring and guided discussions.