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Featured Blog Posts – October 2011 Archive (10)

The Making of a Naturalist

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.

Wonder Together: The Inspiration of Charlotte Mason

“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…

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Added by Jenni Frankenberg Veal on October 30, 2011 at 6:44pm — No Comments

Kids4Trees Announces 2012 Spring Olympian Planting/Environmental Education Program

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,…

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Added by Kids4Trees on October 30, 2011 at 2:00am — No Comments

Am I just another American germaphobe?

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…

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Added by Erin Kenny on October 27, 2011 at 6:21pm — No Comments

Ecopsychology: Reconnecting with Nature

Ecopsychology:

Reconnecting with Nature

December 10, 2009

Tatiana Casey

Dept. of Psychology

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Added by Tatiana Casey on October 27, 2011 at 9:02am — No Comments

Swan Dive in Nature Time

Swan…

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Added by Randy Eady on October 26, 2011 at 4:00am — No Comments

Muscle memory of the mind...

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

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Added by Holly A. Hunter on October 20, 2011 at 11:30am — No Comments

America's WILD READ Features Author Bill Sherwonit's Book Changing Paths

"America's Wild Read" departs for the Arctic this month with Bill Sherwonit. The online book discussion once again features the importance of childhood connections and conservation career choices.

Alaska author Bill Sherwonit will moderate the online discussion of his 2009 book, "Changing Paths/Travel and Meditations in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness" from October 16 to November 6.

His is a first-hand account of a 50-mile, 2-week trek across the rugged Central… Continue

Added by Anne Post on October 18, 2011 at 7:38pm — No Comments

Cedarsong Nature School's Forest Kindergarten

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…

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Added by Erin Kenny on October 14, 2011 at 4:21pm — No Comments

Trying a New Approach

Catching frogs, toads, butterflies, snakes, salamanders, all kinds of wildlife—most kids love to do it…I love to do it! But I struggle with the practice. I’ll find a toad in the yard, call the kids over to see it, they catch it, and I start saying, “Be careful,” “Don’t hurt it,” “Don’t drop the toad.” I become so worried about the animal’s safety that I squash the experience. I’m working on this and think I am making progress.…

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Added by Ann Courcy on October 1, 2011 at 7:57am — 1 Comment