Nurturing Nature and the Environment with Young Children

Nurturing Nature and the Environment with Young Children

Author: Janice Kroeger

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-05-01

Total Pages: 300

ISBN-13: 0429559690

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This book, at the intersection of early childhood and reconceptualizing practice, looks at how practitioners, theorists, and teachers are supporting young children to care about the environment differently. Despite the current popularity of post-human perspectives, in social science more broadly and in early childhood studies more specifically, this is one of few to make visible international practices and perspectives that emerge at the intersection of early childhood education, environmental justice, sustainability, and intergenerational/interspecies communities. The book provides an innovative exploration of the links between children, elders, and nature. With contributions from established scholars, practitioners, and newcomers this book reframes educating for social justice within an ecological landscape; one in which young children and their elders are mobilized to understand, reconceptualize and even undo negative environmental impact, whilst grappling with the ways in which the earthly forces are acting upon them. Specific theoretical chapters (spirituality, nature, critical and post-human/materiality, pragmatics, and constructivism approaches) are blended with applications of pedagogic strategies from across the globe. This book responds to a growing interest among early childhood professionals and scholars for sustainably focused and ethically reimagined programs. This collection rewards the reader with opportunities to critically reflect on their own practice, delves into new terrestrial collectives, and explores new pedagogical pathways. It will be essential reading for practitioners and scholars alike.


Experiencing Nature with Young Children

Experiencing Nature with Young Children

Author: Alice Sterling Honig

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 96

ISBN-13: 9781938113079

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Connecting Children to the Wonder of Nature There's a whole world outdoors waiting to embrace young children--with their curiosity, imagination, and enthusiasm--and to impart its treasures. Experiencing Nature With Young Children invites you to explore this world with children from birth to age 8 in ways that will - Awaken their enjoyment and appreciation of nature - Nurture their emotional development - Enhance their cognitive growth - Spark their creativity - Help them discover how we all--people, animals, plants--are connected - Engage families and communities in preserving nature Along the way, children will learn to love nature and its inhabitants. And in learning to love, they will learn to care--helping to ensure that our natural environment will be well looked-after by the next generation. Part ballad to nature, part irresistible invitation to teachers, this book will awaken and renew your own joy in nature--and move you to experience it with young children.


From Neurons to Neighborhoods

From Neurons to Neighborhoods

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2000-11-13

Total Pages: 610

ISBN-13: 0309069882

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How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.


Nurturing Natures

Nurturing Natures

Author: Graham Music

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2010-10-04

Total Pages: 548

ISBN-13: 1136913009

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This book provides an indispensable account of current understandings of children’s emotional development. Integrating the latest research findings from areas such as attachment theory, neuroscience and developmental psychology, it weaves these into a readable and easy-to-digest text. It provides a tour of the most significant influences on the developing child, always bearing in mind the family and social context. It looks at key developmental stages, from life in the womb to the pre-school years and right up until adolescence, whilst also examining how we develop key capacities such as language, play and memory. Issues of nature and nurture are addressed and the effects of different kinds of early experiences are unpicked, looking at both individual children and larger-scale longitudinal studies. Psychological ideas and research are carefully integrated with those from neurobiology and understandings from other cultures to create a coherent and balanced view of the developing child in context. Nurturing Natures integrates a wide array of complex academic research from different disciplines to create a book that is not only highly readable but also scientifically trustworthy. Full of fascinating findings, it provides answers to many of the questions people really want to ask about the human journey from conception into adulthood. Visit Graham Music's personal site at http://www.nurturingminds.co.uk/.


Nurturing Creativity

Nurturing Creativity

Author: Rebecca T. Isbell

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13: 9781938113215

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Tap into children's natural curiosity and scaffold their creative abilities across all domains of learning--and nurture your own creativity!


Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2015-07-23

Total Pages: 587

ISBN-13: 0309324882

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Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.


Awakening Creativity

Awakening Creativity

Author: Lily Yeh

Publisher: New Village Press

Published: 2011-05-03

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 0981559379

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Engaging students in artmaking, Lily Yeh transforms a derelict Beijing factory into a vibrant beautiful school for migrant workers' children.


The Gardener and the Carpenter

The Gardener and the Carpenter

Author: Alison Gopnik

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 2016-08-09

Total Pages: 317

ISBN-13: 0374229708

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"Alison Gopnik, a ... developmental psychologist, [examines] the paradoxes of parenthood from a scientific perspective"--


Nature Based Learning

Nature Based Learning

Author: Cami Nicoll

Publisher: Independently Published

Published: 2023-09-15

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Nature Based Learning: Nurturing Childhood Development through Nature is an illuminating exploration of the transformative power of nature-based learning in childhood development. This comprehensive guide delves into the synergistic blend of play-based learning and the natural world, offering a compelling narrative on how nature can become a sanctuary of growth and discovery for young minds. The book opens with a poignant reflection on the essence of childhood: a time of unbridled curiosity, boundless imagination, and uninhibited play. It eloquently argues that nature provides the quintessential canvas for these traits to flourish, creating an environment where children can engage in authentic, experiential learning. Throughout its pages, Nature Based Learning showcases the profound impact of nature-based learning on early childhood development. It weaves together the latest research findings, poignant case studies, and expert insights, illustrating how interactions with the natural world stimulate cognitive, emotional, and physical growth in young learners. Readers are guided through the unique attributes of nature preschools, where the classroom extends beyond walls and textbooks, encompassing sprawling forests, vibrant meadows, and babbling brooks. The narrative paints vivid portraits of children as they navigate this living classroom, discovering the wonders of ecosystems, the mysteries of wildlife, and the cycles of the seasons. The book also delves into the symbiotic relationship between play-based learning and nature-based education. It underscores how unstructured play in natural environments fosters creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. Through anecdotes and research-backed evidence, readers witness the magic that unfolds when children build forts among trees, engage in imaginative role-play by streams, and embark on treasure hunts through meadows. Nature Based Learning celebrates the dedicated educators and caregivers who champion this paradigm shift in early education. It emphasizes their pivotal role in nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious, empathetic individuals. The narrative underscores the art of observation, the skill of gentle guidance, and the wisdom of allowing children the freedom to explore, fostering a deep and enduring connection with the natural world. The book also offers practical insights for parents, educators, and policymakers seeking to integrate nature-based learning into early childhood education. It provides actionable tips on designing outdoor classrooms, implementing nature-inspired curriculum, and ensuring safety in natural settings. Additionally, it outlines strategies for fostering partnerships between schools, communities, and nature reserves to create sustainable, immersive learning environments. In conclusion, Nature Based Learning serves as a beacon for those passionate about nurturing the holistic development of children through nature-based learning. It celebrates the boundless potential of young minds and the profound impact that exposure to the natural world can have on their growth. Through this illuminating narrative, readers embark on a journey of understanding, empowerment, and inspiration, guided by the belief that every child deserves to spread their wings and let their roots run deep in the embrace of nature.


Earthways

Earthways

Author: Carol Petrash

Publisher: Gryphon House, Inc.

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 214

ISBN-13: 9780876591567

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Seasonal activities, recipes, and hands-on nature crafts for ages 3 and older, designed to produce "a loving relationship with nature" in the classroom or home. Includes tips on recycling, composting, making natural toys and play spaces, and using earth-friendly craft materials and cleaning products.