Nature-Based Learning for Young Children - by Julie Powers & Sheila Williams Ridge (Paperback)

About the Book

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

Book Synopsis

Nature-Based Learning for Every Preschool Setting 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.

Review Quotes

"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." --David Sobel, senior education faculty, Antioch University New England, and author of Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens

"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." --Ruth Wilson, PhD, research library curator, Children & Nature Network, author of Nature and Young Children

"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 that truly speak to the subtitle: Anytime, Anywhere, and Any Budget." &mdashDilafruz Williams, professor and coauthor of Learning Gardens and Sustainability Education

"There is increasing evidence that spending time in nature benefits children's learning and their emotional well-being. This much-needed book provides practical advice to teachers who want to promote nature learning for their children. Designed to address the needs of teachers who live in many different settings, some conducive to nature learning and some challenging, everyone should find help in these pages. This is a gem of a book!" --Megan Gunnar, PhD, department chair, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota

"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." --Megan Regnerus, publications manager, Project WET Foundation (Water Education for Teachers)

"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." --Luis A. Hernandez, early childhood education specialist

"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!" --Sarah Milligan-Toffler, executive director, Children & Nature Network

An essential and core addition to school district, college, and university library Teacher Education instructional reference collections. &mdashMidwest Book Review, The Education Shelf

About the Author

Julie Powers, MA, grew up in the Sonoran Desert and lives in Maui, Hawaii, during the school year and outside Telluride, Colorado, in the summers and loves each ecosystem. She has an MA from Pacific Oaks College, a BA in child development from the University of Arizona, and an AA in early childhood education from Pima Community College. Julie is an associate professor of early childhood education at University of Hawaii Maui College. She was the founding director of both Dodge Nature Preschool in West St. Paul, Minnesota, and Valley View Preschool, an inclusion-based public preschool in Tucson, Arizona. She has taught, developed curriculum, and directed in a wide range of preschool programs, including public schools, non-profits, for-profits, Head Start, and a campus lab school. She has consulted for programs ranging from the Air Force Child Development Centers to the Phoenix Zoo. She is the author of Parent Engagement in Early Learning.

Sheila Williams Ridge, MA, has a BA in biology from University of Minnesota and an MA in education from Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. She is the director of the Shirley G. Moore Lab School at the University of MN and an instructor for the Institute of Child Development. She is also an adjunct professor for Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Sheila serves on the governing boards for the Natural Start Alliance, the Minneapolis Nature Preschool, and the Friends School of Minnesota.