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David Sobel’s follow-up to Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens walks readers through the nitty-gritty facts of running a nature-based program.
Organized around nine themes, each chapter begins with an overview from the author, followed by case studies from diverse early childhood programs, ranging from those that serve at-risk children to public preschools to university farm programs to Waldorf schools.
Sample newsletters in each chapter show how real programs have tackled tough questions and sticky situations. The programs featured in these newsletters are from across the United States: Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Vermont, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Indiana.
1. Before Taking Children Outside: Preparing Children and Teachers. How to ensure that the children are safe? How to encourage focused learning in nature? How to maintain control in the “wild” outdoors? How to educate parents about outdoor clothing and developing a clothing management system. Providing appropriate gear for low-income families.
2. Scaffolding Nature Play. Nature-based Early Childhood Education is both about play and work, fairy houses and literacy. How do teachers set up the time and space outdoors to encourage children to sink into deep play? Letting go and letting children explore. The virtue of mud kitchens, forts, and puddles.
3. Policies and Practices for Outdoors Programming. Risk and play management. Sensible sticks and stones policies. Fire policies and procedures. How not to lose children. What are the rhythms and different components of an outdoor day—whether it’s every day or just once a week?
4. Working and Celebrating with Families. Communicating with parents about the unique aspects of nature-based programming. Organizing parent and community events around the solstices, equinoxes, and other natural events.
Part II: Curriculum
5. Language Development and Literacy. How can early language, letter recognition, phonics, and writing skills be developed outdoors?
7. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Using loose parts and natural resources to encourage problem-solving and simple engineering skills along with creating a positive disposition for science learning.
8. Natural Science. Beavers and owls and deer and rocks and trees, oh my! Capitalizing on children’s natural fascinations with animals and turning this into learning opportunities. Using children’s questions to direct learning. Emergent curriculum based on the seasons.
9. Gardening. How to engage young children in gardening. Building urban raised garden beds to provide accessible plant care opportunities. Using gardens to support reading and math. Gardening as a foundation for a conservation ethic.