Resources
Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature
This systematic review of 25 years of empirical studies of early childhood environmental education revealed strongly positive outcomes in environmental literacy development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, physical development and language and literacy development.
Nature Play Lifestyle
Nature Play Lifestyle provides guidance and support to engage young learners in connecting to the natural world. This YouTube Channel is more than a place to provide tips and tricks to help support others in the field, it's a community. We come together to share ideas and I guide conversations about what I've learned as a nature preschool teacher over the last 10 years. I post videos every Wednesday and Saturday.
We're constantly looking for great resources for our members. Below is a complete list of the resources we've gathered so far. You can select the types of resources you're looking for. To select more than one type of resource, hold the control button while you make your selections.
Go beyond linear gardening! The Food Forest games move you beyond the garden row, into the web of relationships that connects plants, insects, animals and people. With these cards you will play fun, challenging games based on relationships found in a real food forest. You begin to understand how to use the complex web of nature to your advantage.
Forest School is an educational approach, and program of delivery, that has existed since the late 1950s, with thousands of programs expanding the world over. This guide reflects what is currently happening in Canadian Forest and Nature Schools.
Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten's director, Erin Kenny shares her journey of learning about what it actually means to provide immersive preschool experience in an outdoor woodland habitat, and takes us deep into the rationale, philosophy, approach and day-by-day management realities of being authentically in the outdoors.
This book is based on the understanding that fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world is important to the development of young children and the preservation of planet Earth. It is also based on the belief that experiences children have early in life impact the attitudes and behaviors they carry with them throughout their lifetime.
This a documentary explores British Columbia's Environmental School, a public school where learning happens outdoors. The film investigates learning styles, ecological involvement, class structure, and the impact of outdoor learning on children.
Four Seasons at a Nature Based Preschool, a resource guide for teachers of young children, is available for purchase. It focuses on seasonal changes in the Upper Midwest, areas of study that have been of interest to children at our preschool, and specific resources available at Dodge Nature Center.
Developed in coordination with early childhood experts and educators, Getting Little Feet Wet is designed to help educators of young children teach about water in fun, age-appropriate ways. This book from Project WET contains 11 interactive, hands-on activities for young learners to explore different aspects of water—from water properties to water sounds.
Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood offers resources to connect young children to nature. Founder Ken Finch speaks, teaches, writes, and consults about the value of nature play and nature preschools. Green Hearts maintains an informative web site with resources related to nature play, nature preschools, and parent resources. Also offers a newsletter and limited publications.
The quarterly Green Teacher magazine offers perspectives on the role of education in creating a sustainable future, practical articles and ready to use activities for various age levels, and reviews of dozens of new educational resources.
Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills.
This book offers readers ways to use connections with nature to find strength and inspiration for their personal journeys so they can bring their best selves to their work with children.
This position paper from early Dimensions Foundation work describes a rationale for developmentally appropriate environmental education. A short synopsis of research describes the factors contributing to children’s disconnection from the natural world.
Howtosmile.org is an award-winning, free access STEM activity website with nearly 4,000 activities for all ages. Activities can be searched by age, grade, cost, time, outdoor or physical activity, and more. Many activities have environmental themes.
Children in rural America struggle to find time and space to play. How can rural families add more play into their children’s lives without needing a playground?
Insect Lore was founded to allow people of all ages to witness the metamorphosis of real, live butterflies in their own homes or classrooms. Today, the Butterfly Garden includes a see-through reusable mesh habitat. In addition to butterflies, Insect Lore offers Ant, Ladybug, Silkworm, Worm and Frog Kits, as well as bug catchers and other exciting items for bug lovers.