Bright Ideas - The Natural Start Blog

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

We Are Nature

April 4, 2022

Guest blogger Melissa A. Butler explores the depths of nature connection and how adults can support children in their budding relationships with the natural world. Read More

March Madness! PD for Nature-Based Early Educators

March 7, 2022

Check out a slew of upcoming professional development for nature-based early childhood educators, all taking place in the month of March. Read More

Holiday Book Fair!

November 30, 2021

View a recording of our Second Annual Holiday Book Fair to get recommendations for some of the best children's books about nature that were released in 2021. Read More

Natural Start Forum: Enrolling with Equity in Mind

November 9, 2021

View the recording of a webinar about building more equitable systems and reducing barriers to accessing nature-based education through designing an equitable enrollment process. Read More

Natural Start Forum: UnPD Your Professional Development

October 11, 2021

Join the Natural Start Alliance on October 26 for guidance on designing (un)professional development that meets your individual needs and the collective needs of your staff and colleagues. Read More

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