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Learning with Nature: Finding Creative Inspiration

Learning with Nature: Finding Creative Inspiration

Learning with nature means not just learning in or about nature, but learning in an environment where the natural world becomes another teacher. Good teachers of course help their students learn facts and ways...

Learning with Nature: The Science of Mud

Learning with Nature: The Science of Mud

Play, especially messy play, is often under appreciated in children’s learning. This is particularly true when it comes to playing with mud. Adults focus on the...

Learning with Nature: Animals and Empathy

Learning with Nature: Animals and Empathy

“Look a worm. We should make it a home!” If you’ve spent any time with young children, you’ve likely heard a phrase similar to this...

Learning with Nature: Math of Plants

Learning with Nature: Math of Plants

Bursts of sunflowers, spirals of a cucumber tendrils, different leaf shapes of the sassafras tree, and the large number of acorns during an oak mast...

Learning with Nature: Moments of Serendipity

Learning with Nature: Moments of Serendipity

The memory of my grandmother’s voice and joy as she declared, “Serendipity!” came flooding back to me last week. I was spending the day with...

Learning with Nature: The Power of Silence

Learning with Nature: The Power of Silence

The world is so noisy! There are dings of email alerts, cars, air conditioners running, lawnmowers, garbage trucks—the list goes on. Metaphorically we’re also surrounded...

Learning with Nature: Language and Literacy in Context

Learning with Nature: Language and Literacy in Context

“But how will they learn to read and write outside?” I often hear this question from parents considering a nature-based preschool. Honestly, the answer is...

Learning with Nature: Awaking a Sense of Wonder

Learning with Nature: Awaking a Sense of Wonder

Exploring nature is a surefire way to spark young children’s learning. Children inherently want to learn which is why they’re constantly asking questions. They’re full...