Natural Families

Information

Natural Families

Welcome to the virtual gathering place for Natural Families.  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: 233
Latest Activity: Jul 26

EVERY FAMILY CAN BE A NATURAL FAMILY!

The Natural Family's forum is 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 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 home page and throughout the larger Children & Nature Network website.

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

Discussion Forum

Workshop for Family Leaders: Nurturing Children, Ourselves, and Nature

Dear All,    We are launching a new program supporting adult teachers and facilitators of nature and learning experiences. We begin with a workshop on October 7, 2017 in White Plains, NY:Nurturing…Continue

Started by LoraKim Joyner Jul 26.

***Raising Awareness of Family Nature Clubs via Instagram***

Hello everybody! I'd like to invite you to participate in a new project to raise awareness about Family Nature Clubs. To participate, just start tagging your Instagram posts with #familynatureclub.…Continue

Tags: media, awareness, natural, families, social

Started by Jason Sperling Jan 22, 2016.

Learning at a Dairy Farm

https://youtu.be/DI1kuraW7ToA great time learning and exploring at our local dairy farm. www.naturebec.orgContinue

Tags: learning, nature-based, farm, dairy

Started by Deanna Fahey Nov 29, 2015.

Rediscovering "Where Nature Meets Story" 4 Replies

In my search for good nature-based literature for my 6 and 8 year old boys, I recently rediscovered a fantastic resource we have right here with C&NN. Where Nature Meets Story has reignited my…Continue

Started by Janice Swaisgood. Last reply by Deanna Fahey Nov 6, 2015.

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.

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Natural Families to add comments!

Comment by Michael D. Barton on May 4, 2015 at 5:56pm

Since we launched in March 2015 we have sold over 80 "Children at Nature Play" signs - to nature centers, nature-based preschools, wildlife refuges, children & nature advocates, etc. Learn more about the sign that sparks a conversation about connecting children to nature - and order one! - at natureplaysign.com.

Comment by Michael D. Barton on February 25, 2015 at 9:28am

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

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...

 

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