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C&NN Natural Families Network

Information

Welcome to the virtual gathering place of the Natural Families Network. A “Natural Family” is any family who values and uses the natural world as a place for playing, growing, and learning. Natural Families believe that children who spend time in nature are happier, healthier and smarter, and aspire to share their experiences with other families.

Website: http://www.childrenandnature.org/movement/naturalfamilies/
Location: Worldwide!
Members: 211
Latest Activity: on Wednesday

EVERY FAMILY CAN BE A NATURAL FAMILY!

The Natural Family Network is a forum designed to connect families virtually, giving space to share ideas and ask for suggestions, where families can be engaged, supportive and encouraged. Here, we discuss and ask questions about using the natural world as a playground for our kids, whereby connecting with nature on a regular basis, they will harvest the seeds of lifelong stewardship in and for the natural world.

It is our hope that this forum will help grow the movement and inspire more families to enjoy the wonders of nature, either with a family nature club, with friends, or on their own! This is a great place to get more information on how to start a family nature club if you’re interested, too. Peruse the topics here and jump in with your own questions and contributions often.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the C&NN Connect site.

The goal of the Natural Families Network and this website is to encourage more families to connect their children with nature and to provide a forum where Natural Families can share their ideas, experiences and views.

Please participate actively, and encourage others to join. Get together face-to-face as well when you can!

You'll find tools and resources on the Natural Families Network home pages and throughout the larger Children & Nature Network website.

If you're looking for tools and resources you'll find them on the Natural Families Network home pages and throughout the larger Children & Nature Network website.

Discussion Forum

Children's and Teen Health Summit

Our very own Cheryl Charles will be presenting at the ONLINE Chiildren and Teen Health Summit that begins Monday, November 3rd! The event is online, and you can listen whenever you want during that…Continue

Started by Carla Atherton Oct 31, 2014.

Raising Girls to Know Inner Beauty

This morning I was getting my haircut at a salon downtown, and I started looking around the room. All of the available reading material consisted of either beauty or home-cooking magazines. I was…Continue

Tags: Inner, Beauty, Health, Women's, Raising

Started by Emily Kent Sep 15, 2014.

Party in Nature With Your Kids

Looking for a fun and meaningful activity for kids this summer?Check out what could be the FEEL GOOD video of the year! It is…Continue

Tags: sing, connectedness, connected, dance, nature

Started by Dave Room Jul 18, 2014.

Need a way of getting the kids out into nature? 7 Replies

Hi all.Just wanted to let you know of a way to get kids out there in nature. It involves a smart-phone so that may just be the encouragement they need!I've recently created a resource (…Continue

Tags: learning, nature

Started by Stephen Bradley. Last reply by Stephen Bradley Jun 4, 2014.

new GRANT OPPORTUNITY!!

Attention Family Nature Club Leaders and Zoo-Lovers!There is a wonderful grant opportunity that would foster a partnership between your Family Nature Club and your local AZA accredited zoo/aquarium!…Continue

Started by Janice Swaisgood May 10, 2014.

Kids to Parks Day - May 17th! 3 Replies

Hey there Natural…Continue

Started by Janice Swaisgood. Last reply by Julie Osborn Garner May 4, 2014.

Geocaching -- Awesome Outdoor Adventure 1 Reply

Today I went geocaching with a group of my co-workers and had a blast. It's super simple, and the one we did was geared for any kids over the age of 7. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure…Continue

Tags: gps, hunt, scavenger, adventure, geocaching

Started by Dani Tinker. Last reply by Tania Moloney Apr 28, 2014.

Started by Dani Tinker Aug 13, 2013.

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Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of C&NN Natural Families Network to add comments!

Comment by Michael D. Barton on Wednesday: Children at Nature Play signs are ready to order! Use them to raise awareness in your community about the importance of connecting kids to nature.

http://natureplaysign.com/signs/

Comment by Michael D. Barton on January 6, 2015 at 7:55pm: Passionate about connecting kids to nature? Please share my Tee Spring t-shirt campaign to help raise awareness about the importance of children playing in nature. If interested in ordering a t-shirt or sharing the link on your Facebook page, here's the link: http://teespring.com/natureplaysign

Thank you! - Michael Barton
https://www.facebook.com/SlowChildrenAtNaturePlay
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exploring-Portlands-Natural-Areas/15...

Comment by Kris Antonius on October 14, 2014 at 7:46pm: Just popping in to say hello! Looking forward to connecting and reading your posts. You can also find me at http://tinypeasant.com/ where I blog about learning and living with my four kiddos, and also share and sell learning resources, many of which engage children in the natural world.

Comment by Dave Room on July 18, 2014 at 8:04am: Please check out my post: Party in Nature With Your Kids

Comment by Juliet Robertson on December 9, 2013 at 8:06am: Great news! The film, Project Wild Thing, is now available online - it's may be something you would enjoy as it's about rebranding nature to encourage parents and children to spend more time outside http://vimeo.com/ondemand/projectwildthing

Comment by Nkrumah Frazier on November 12, 2013 at 12:43pm: I just wanted to post a link to my most recent blog.... I hope you enjoy it.

You don't have to "Go" anywhere to enjoy nature!

http://fanclubdad.blogspot.com/2013/11/you-dont-have-to-go-anywhere...

Comment by Suz Lipman on September 17, 2013 at 8:14am: Please join our Natural Families Network Coordinator, Janice Swaisgood, and many others for a FREE webcast:

Educating Tomorrow's Environmental Stewards

Thurs., 9/19, 1pm ET

http://actrees.org/what-we-do/training-and-conferences/events/educa...

sponsored by Alliance for Community Trees

Comment by Kari on June 25, 2013 at 9:22am: Hi all,

Forest Kids:
Why the Modern Classroom is Moving Outside
By Andrea Gordon
Forest schools have long flourished in Scandinavia, Germany and Britain. They are places where children learn through free play, movement and hands-on experience in nature. Now, Canada is exploring the benefits of outdoor learning. Sangster Elementary in Colwood, B.C., launched its joyous Nature Kindergarten last fall, and now outdoor preschools, kindergartens and primary programs are popping up throughout that province, as well as in Ontario and New Brunswick. Why? Because there’s mounting evidence that nature enhances children’s health, learning and confidence while cutting down on behavioural issues. In Forest Kids: Why the Modern Classroom is Moving Outside, Star journalist Andrea Gordon conveys outdoor learners’ engagement and sense of wonder, and probes the fascinating science of nature’s effects on the brain and body of people young and old. But she also explores whether it's just a passing novelty or has real staying power.

Read more about it here :
Forest Kids:
Why the Modern Classroom is Moving Outside
By Andrea Gordon
Forest schools have long flourished in Scandinavia, Germany and Britain. They are places where children learn through free play, movement and hands-on experience in nature. Now, Canada is exploring the benefits of outdoor learning. Sangster Elementary in Colwood, B.C., launched its joyous Nature Kindergarten last fall, and now outdoor preschools, kindergartens and primary programs are popping up throughout that province, as well as in Ontario and New Brunswick. Why? Because there’s mounting evidence that nature enhances children’s health, learning and confidence while cutting down on behavioural issues. In Forest Kids: Why the Modern Classroom is Moving Outside, Star journalist Andrea Gordon conveys outdoor learners’ engagement and sense of wonder, and probes the fascinating science of nature’s effects on the brain and body of people young and old. But she also explores whether it's just a passing novelty or has real staying power.

Read more about it here : http://www.stardispatches.com/single.php?id=37

Comment by Suz Lipman on February 12, 2013 at 11:26am: Congratulations Chip and Ashley Donahue and "Kids in the Valley, Adventuring" family nature club on 5 years of getting kids and families outside! Read their story here:

http://www.childrenandnature.org/news/detail/kids_in_the_valley_cel...

Comment by Katie Kunze on December 14, 2012 at 8:59pm: I live in Michigan and still live with my parents. My dad is disabled with young onset Parkinson's disease and uses a wheelchair to get around. Does any one know of any accessible activities or parks in Michigan, specifically southeast Michigan? Thanks!