Bright Ideas - The Natural Start Blog

Bright Ideas

Two States Have Introduced Legislation to License Outdoor Preschools

February 28, 2023

Maryland and Oregon have both introduced legislation to begin pilot programs to license outdoor preschools. Read More

Webinar: Stepping Out: Early Childhood Education for Earth Day and Beyond

February 15, 2023

View the recording of "Stepping Out: Early Childhood Education for Earth Day and Beyond," a webinar about engaging young learners in nature-based education. Read More

Webinar: Aligning Outdoor Learning & Farm to ECE

January 9, 2023

The Natural Start Alliance recently partnered with the National Farm to School Network for a webinar, “Aligning Outdoor Learning & Farm to ECE.” Explore resources for connecting Farm to Early Care and Education and outdoor learning. Read More

The Blueberry Awards: Children’s Books That Can Change the World

November 10, 2022

The Natural Start Alliance teamed up with the Evanston Public Library to shine a spotlight on the Blueberry Book Awards. View a recording of the live event and get familiar with some excellent nature books for young children! Read More

Centerville City Schools funds Nature Class for All K-1 Students

September 13, 2022

Nature-based learning advocates in Ohio worked closely with the Centerville City Schools to establish a nature class that will be a part of every kindergarten and first-grade students' school day starting this fall. Read More

Webinar: Freedom Dreaming: Using Art and Storytelling to Reimagine Communities of Color in Nature Education

September 6, 2022

View the recording of the webinar, "Freedom Dreaming: Using Art and Storytelling to Reimagine Communities of Color in Nature Education." Read More

Webinar: A New Narrative to Sustain Support for Early Childhood Education

May 19, 2022

Are you making the case for outdoor, nature-based learning with funders and decision-makers? Hear about the findings from a comprehensive messaging analysis initiative around early childhood education in a recently recorded webinar. Read More

Texas School Hires Full-Time Nature-Based Educator

May 18, 2022

Compass Rose Public Schools, a public charter school network in Texas, recently hired a nature-based learning teacher for its newest campus in San Antonio. This position, the first of its kind in the area, will not only allow the field of study to be woven into each school day, but also show students that careers focused on nature are present in their community. Read More

Forum: Minnesota Department of Education's Outdoor Learning in Early Childhood Project

May 4, 2022

Interested in learning more about resource development and advocacy work? In our latest forum, representatives from Minnesota Early Childhood Outdoors (MnECO) shared the process of collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Ed to develop outdoor learning resources for all early childhood educators. View the recording now. Read More

Natural Start Forum: Reflective Practice

April 5, 2022

What is reflective practice? Why is it important for early childhood educators? How can it help ease some of the stress of teaching in today’s world AND make you a better educator? View a recording of a presentation by Diona Reese Williams, who explored these questions and shared tips for using reflective practice as a supervisor or peer. Read More

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