Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget

Exceptional Resources for Early Childhood Professionals

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Increase opportunities for nature-based education in any early childhood program, regardless of climate, region, budget, or experience.

Nature-Based Learning for Young Children is designed to provide ideas for all early childhood educators ranging from novice to highly experienced in a wide range of ecosystems, including forests, cities, prairies, coastal, urban, 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.

240 pages

Awards

Reviews

- August 30, 2018

This is the book that many early childhood educators have been waiting for! It's a wonderful synthesis of philosophy and practicality. I love the sample letters to parents, Julie and Sheila's attention to diversity issues, and their ability to articulate possibilities for teachers at all points along the continuum from ‘dipping your toe in’, to ‘wading in’ to ‘diving in’. Can't wait to try that Deep-Fried Dandelions recipe. This is a yummy book.

Review by: David Sobel,
Author of Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens
- July 19, 2018

“Nature-Based Learning for Young Children re-energized my excitement about the power of nature to make learning at the early childhood level a deeply meaningful and joyful experience. The guidance offered here is practical, inspirational and truly impressive.”

Review by: Ruth Wilson,
Research Library Curator, Children & Nature Network
- July 18, 2018

“Engaging and practical . . . this is a must-read for both the novice and the experienced early childhood educator. Weaving stories from the field, encouraging risk-taking, honoring inclusivity of all children, families, and communities, we are drawn into a myriad of lively nature-based learning opportunities."

Review by: Dilafruz Williams,
Professor and Author
- July 17, 2018

“Whatever your comfort level in bringing the natural world to your early childhood classroom, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children provides inspiration, enthusiasm and practical instruction on how to get children connected to what’s right outside our doors.”

Review by: Megan Regnerus,
Publications Manager, Project WET Foundation
- July 16, 2018

“This much-needed book provides practical advice to teachers who want to promote nature learning for their children. Everyone should find help in these pages. This is a gem of a book!”

Review by: Megan Gunnar,
Director, Institute of Child Development
- July 15, 2018

For those of us who have wondered on how to take the first steps in nature-based play here is your guide! Rooted in the solid principles of connecting with the natural world, the authors provide practical and sensible strategies. This remarkable book makes a joyful case for connecting to the natural world once again.

Review by: Luis Hernandez,
Early Childhood Education Specialist
- July 14, 2018

As a growing body of research and common sense tell us, spending time in natural environments supports the healthy development of children. Nature-Based Learning for Young Children is an important, easy to use and practical resource for anyone looking to support children in reaching their full potential. This book doesn’t take the reader back, but rather forward to nature!

Review by: Sarah Milligan-Toffler,
Executive Director, Children & Nature Network