This long-awaited revision of a popular book provides information and activities to assist educators and parents in exploring the local environment with children. Fact-filled essays introduce each subject, followed by field-tested, experiential activities that engage students in learning about the natural world. 115 illustrations.

* 2020 National Outdoor Book Awards Winner: Children's With this fun and practical guide to outdoor play, be inspired to unplug and spark a nature connection vital for children's healthy growth and development. *Winner of the 2020 National Outdoor Book Award in the Children's Category* Children and families are plugged into electronics and often disconnected from direct experiences in nature. This beautifully photographed, highly visual resource offers tangible approaches to nature-based learning and play for children. Parents and teachers discover the benefits of outdoor learning and simple ways to facilitate unplugged nature connection in every season. Inspired by nature preschools, forest kindergartens, and forest school models the world over, this guide also includes "Voices from the Field" with advice from experienced nature-based educators. This insightful reference balances nature play experiences with hands-on projects using natural materials and is an ideal jumping off point for immersive nature play. Examples of nature-based child experiences outlined in the book include: Wildlife observation and tracking Nature sounds, songs, and poetry Gardening and cooking with wild edibles Printmaking, charcoal drawing, dyeing, and shadow play Journaling inspired by nature With Nature Play Workshop for Families, any child, anywhere, can spark a nature connection. "Voices from the Field" includes more ideas and tips contributed by leading educators, including: Sally Anderson, Sol Forest School, Tijeras, New Mexico Yash Bhagwanji, Florida Atlantic University Lauren Brown, Asheville Farmstead School Peter Dargatz, Woodside Elementary School, Sussex, Wisconsin Monica French, Wild Haven Forest Preschool and Childcare, Baltimore, Maryland Patricia Leon, Miami Nature Playschool Sheila William Ridge, Shirley G. Moore Lab School, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota Beth Savitz, Irvine Nature Center, Owings Mills, Maryland Maria Soboleski, New Mexico School for the Deaf Paige Vonder Haar, Bunnell House Early Childhood Lab School, Fairbanks, Alaska Susie Wirth, Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Foundation

Dive into learning with these hands-on books that explore science, art, nature, and math. With easy-to-make projects and colorful illustrations, educators will love these books as classroom supplements, and parents will love having them to challenge and engage childrens minds at home.

Nature School is your destination for kid-friendly nature learning, where you can explore the natural world through engaging reading, beautiful illustrations, and more than 30 hands-on activities. Kids need a break from screens now more than ever. Screen-free time spent exploring and learning about the outdoors makes for happier, healthier, smarter kids. And playing in nature gives kids confidence and independence, promoting creativity and teaching responsibility. With Nature School, all ages will enjoy connecting with nature and becoming inspired to discover the wild places around them. Travel through five of earth’s largest biomes, studying plants, animals, and their adaptations for survival—and learn hands-on through nature experiments explained in each lesson.From the arid desert to the salty seashore, investigate extraordinary ecosystems, discovering the role of predators and prey and learning about life cycles, climate, landscape, and more. Chapters in this book explore plants, animals, and life cycles of: Temperate Forests Deserts Seashores Grasslands Wetlands Featuring activities and experiments that include: Bark & Leaf Rubbings Desertscape Diorama Salt Dough Seashells Tornado in a Bottle Nature Journaling The whole family will enjoy learning through Nature School!

Hands-On! Nature is designed with any classroom in mind, aiding teachers and students both in the school environment and the at-home classroom by educating children about the amazing subject of nature, and more importantly, giving young learners the tools they need to explore and learn about nature on their own. Each project in this book is specifically designed to place the ability to discover in the hands of young minds. Simple text provides an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to each project, a brief explanation to why it works and ideas for further activities. In addition, every single project is accompanied by colorful illustrations and appealing photographs, aimed to enhance children's understanding and engage the reader. Each book in the series also comes equipped with a comprehensive glossary and index, enriching and aiding the learning experience. We are sure our readers will finish these books with a new understanding of each subject matter, and newfound abilities to explore and discover their world on their own.

The average child can identify over one thousand corporate logos, but only ten native plants or animals—a telling indictment of our modern disconnection from nature. Soaring levels of obesity, high rates of ADHD, feelings of stress and social awkwardness, and "Nature Deficit Disorder" are further unintended consequences of a childhood spent primarily indoors. The Big Book of Nature Activities is a comprehensive guide for parents and educators to help youth of all ages explore, appreciate and connect with the natural world. This rich, fully illustrated compendium features: Nature-based skills and activities such as species identification, photography, journaling, and the judicious use of digital technology Ideas, games, and activities grounded in what's happening in nature each season Core concepts that promote environmental literacy, such as climate change and the mechanisms and wonder of evolution, explained using a child-friendly, engaging approach Lists of key species and happenings to observe throughout the year across most of North America Perfect for families, educators, and youth leaders , The Big Book of Nature Activities is packed with crafts, stories, information and inspiration to make outdoor learning fun. Jacob Rodenburg is the Executive Director of the Camp Kawartha summer camp and outdoor education centre. As well as publishing numerous articles on children, nature and the environment, he has worked in the field of outdoor education for twenty-five years. Drew Monkman is an award-winning environmental advocate, naturalist, and retired teacher. In addition to his weekly nature column, Drew is the author of two season-based nature guides, including Nature's Year.