By Jenni Veal for Nooga.com:

Scientists from most disciplines agree that science and conservation efforts today and in the future will absolutely require naturalists, individuals who understand the natural world around them. However, if naturalists must be groomed in childhood, society as a whole – and particularly parents – must address how children are spending their time each day.

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“We were all meant to be naturalists, each to his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” - Charlotte Mason

I was given a copy of Susan Schaeffer Macaulay’s book For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School when my oldest daughter began kindergarten. The school she was to attend follows the philosophy of a revolutionary British educator, Charlotte…

2012%20Olympian%20program%20newsletter.pdf

Kids4Trees is pleased to announce its 2012 Spring Olympian Planting/Environmental Education School and Scout Program in and around 10 major US cities -- Los Angeles, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Denver/Aspen, Santa Fe, Jackson, MS., Boston, Tuskegee, Johnson City and Chicago. See our attached newsletter and…

Although I do not consider myself a germaphobe, it certainly seemed like I was in comparison to the educators that I met while visiting the German waldkindergartens. Where were the teacher's hand sanitizers?  We Americans are obsessed with being very careful not to "spread germs". The European educators stated that they believe it is healthy for children to be exposed to germs since it strengthens their immune systems. I observed the German waldkindergarten children all helping themselves…

Ecopsychology:

Reconnecting with Nature

December 10, 2009

Tatiana Casey

Dept. of Psychology

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Ecological Identity: The Naked Truth

Ecopsychology is the coalescence of the fields of psychology and ecology in which the the connection between our Self and the rest of nature is considered to be a symbiotic expression of Truth essential to our mental, and thus, ecological health (Ammel & Manning, 2009, p.14).  When I speak of this “Truth,” I am referring to the non-duality intrinsic to the relationship that shapes the reciprocal sharing we have with our…

Swan…

Over the past few years I've worked hard to overcome my fear of bugs.  Not that I was deathly afraid or anything, but I'll admit that they really creeped me out.  But, as I mentioned in an earlier blog post, my son Jack is extremely interested in bugs and seems to have a real knack for finding the coolest most colorful ones around.  

Being an avid…

Check out Go Green Kids New Issue! http://www.gogreenkp.com/

Muscle memory of the mind...

I was having a discussion with a pregnant friend the other day and she…

Love is the Color of a Rainbow, a unique children's nature book written by author KathyParra. www.kathyparra.com

Willow, a little girl who has been blind since birth hears pit-pats of the first summer rain, she quickly encourages her Mama to go outside, Mama shares all the colors of a rainbow with Willow through nature, there Willow experiences that “Love is the Color of a Rainbow." 

"Love is the Color of a Rainbow" with it's…

I am the founder and Principal of the first U.S. Forest Kindergarten,  a year-round entirely outdoor preschool, run by the non-profit Cedarsong Nature School since 2007. I have just returned from the international conference on Early Childhood and Nature Education in the Netherlands and Germany. While there, I visited and observed many Forest Kindergarten and Nature Preschools. I was also able to discuss with the European participants the cultural differences that would lead to there being…

Our oldest came in the kitchen while I was fixing dinner last night (turkey burgers) and saw me sporting the new CRPA (Cowpasture River Preservation Association) hat that I got in the mail today.  She giggled and said, “Do you like your new hat, Daddy?”

 Yes, indeed I do.  These busy days have me pining over the leisure hours and days we spent…

Ladder Toss, cornhole, paddle ball, croquet, badmitten, bocce ball, Frisbee, horseshoes, ring toss, wiffle ball.  These are just a few of the many outdoor games you'll find at your local sporting goods store.  I admit I have more than a few of them. But recently I've started leaving them behind when we go camping.

When we started camping more, especially in…

As I was hiking this weekend a small caterpillar crawling on the ground near my feet caught my eye.  I immediately stopped to observe and said out loud "Thanks Jack!"  I was referring to my 8 year old son Jack who's constantly discovering tiny little creatures right at his feet.  When he makes these discoveries, he immediately stops in his tracks and takes the time to…