Enhance children's early learning and help them reconnect with the natural world with these high-quality outdoor learning experiences.

"This is a superb book, and does a wonderful job of relating the current state of research related to outdoor, environmental, and place-based education. The book provides a roadmap showing others to identify problems, develop research questions, put together data, and disseminate information to third parties." Joan Franklin Smutny, Founding Director of the Center for Gifted, a Northern Illinois University Partner, and Director of the Midwest Torrance Center for Creativity This book explores the phenomenon of outdoor education, an approach that permits children from all backgrounds to explore environmental, sustainability, and other issues facing them and their communities. Organized around both the conceptual and the practical issues facing school leaders interested in outdoor education, the book provides a wealth of resources for those interested in implementing outdoor education in their schools or classrooms. Infinitely flexible, outdoor education provides a lens through which teachers may explore any content area with any age group of children. Providing readers with both the theoretical underpinnings that support place-based curriculum as well as practical ways to implement an outdoor education program, the book also provides seven case studies that examine the issues facing school leaders desiring to make such a change. It guides those interested in exploring outdoor education through the curricular, instructional, and policy considerations needed to accomplish this goal. Stephen T. Schroth is Professor of Early Childhood Education/Gifted & Creative Education at Towson University, USA. He is the author of eight monographs, multiple book chapters, and numerous articles, and has taught pre-service teachers and graduate students for over twenty five years.

“A magnificent resource for transforming backyards into stimulating environments which enhance children’s creativity, learning, and fun.” —Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, The Nature Principle, and Vitamin N Access to technology has created a generation of children who are more plugged in than ever before—often with negative consequences. But there is a solution. Unrestricted outdoor play helps reduce stress, improve health, and enhance creativity, learning, and attention span. In Nature Play at Home, Nancy Striniste gives you the tools you need to make outdoor adventures possible in your own backyard. With hundreds of inspiring ideas and illustrated, step-by-step projects, this hardworking book details how to create playspaces that use natural materials—like logs, boulders, sand, water, and plants of all kinds. Projects include hillside slides, seating circles, sand pits, and more.

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.

This book places outdoor learning in a theoretical, historical and social context of constructions of children, childhood and the use of the outdoors.

* 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

Following the acclaim for Learning Outside the Classroom in 2012, this latest book more deeply explains how well constructed outdoor learning experiences can benefit children and young people’s academic development and health and wellbeing. Outdoor Learning Across the Curriculum outlines the theory and practice to enable preservice and experienced primary and secondary school teachers to systematically incorporate meaningful outdoor learning opportunities into their daily teaching activities, in a range of environments and with diverse groups of students. Six of the chapters are substantially re-worked versions of the 2012 book, two are completely re-imagined, and four are entirely new. Topics for developing learning and teaching outdoors include: Inclusive educational design Learning for sustainability Community-based learning The role of student curiosity and wonder Evidencing learning Developing a whole school approach Place-responsive education Integrating digital technology With practical and engaging chapters containing aims, case studies, and guidelines for practice, this timely book provides teachers the tools with which they can integrate outdoor learning into their daily timetable. It will also be a valuable resource to other professions which use the outdoors for educational purposes.