Bright Ideas - The Natural Start Blog

The Stories You Loved in 2019

December 23, 2019

From popular resources to play-focused policy, take a look at the topics and trends that caught the attention of Natural Start members in 2019. Read More

Webinar Recap: Washington Outdoor Preschool Pilot

December 4, 2019

In a webinar hosted by Natural Start, Aliza Yair provides an overview of the Washington Outdoor Preschool Pilot Program, followed by a brief Q&A. Read More

2019 Nature-Based Early Learning Conference Recap

September 3, 2019

In August 2019, Natural Start gathered over 300 nature-based early learning professionals from 41 states, 5 countries, and 3 continents. Here we look back on the event and all the things that made it great this year, including an inspiring keynote address from Dr. Peter Gray, laugh out loud selfies, field trips, and so much more! Read More

Resources from Dr. Peter Gray

August 8, 2019

Download resources from the 2019 Nature-Based Early Learning Conference. Read More

Association of Zoos and Aquariums at the 2019 Natural Start Conference

June 11, 2019

There are more than a dozen nature preschools and many more early childhood programs at zoos and aquariums across the country. Hear from several zoo and aquarium professionals at the 2019 Natural Start Conference! Read More

Advocating for Nature-Based Early Care and Education

April 26, 2019

What is advocacy? And what does it look like in action? These resources will help you to make the case for the importance of nature in young children’s care and education, and to expand access to high-quality programming for all children. Read More

Parents Guide to Nature-Based Early Learning

April 25, 2019

When adults model respect for nature, encourage a sense of wonder and curiosity, and allow time for outdoor play, young children begin to develop a relationship with the natural world that can last a lifetime. Read More

Nature-Based Early Learning in Public Schools

April 23, 2019

An increasing number of public schools are integrating nature and the outdoors into kindergarten and elementary classrooms. These resources provide an overview of nature-based learning in public schools, from research to real-world examples. Read More

Nature Preschools 101

April 22, 2019

What are the benefits of nature-based early learning? How do you define a nature preschool? Where are the nature preschools and forest kindergartens in the U.S. and around the world? We've gone back to the basics and compiled our best introductory resources on nature preschools. Read More

Hiring Nature Preschool Teachers: Insights from the Field

March 29, 2019

Early last fall, we published a Feature Story, “Finding Great Nature Preschool Teachers: What to Look For During the Interview,” and asked professionals in the field to share their expertise. This follow up article from Anna Dutke combines insights from four nature preschool directors on how they structure their hiring process in order to identify the best candidates. Read More

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