Nature-Based Learning for Every Preschool Setting is designed to provide ideas for all early childhood educators ranging from novice nature educators to highly experienced nature educators in a wide range of ecosystems, including forests, cities, prairies, coastal, and deserts. It includes background information on a range of nature topics, reproducible parent newsletters, sample play-based lesson plans, guidance and health and safety issues related to nature activities, ideas for free/inexpensive equipment and materials and for big ticket items, ideas for family involvement, and connections to early childhood learning standards. Chapters are divided by nature topic so readers can dip in right away where they want to start exploring.

3 simultaneous users

Nature education : meeting children's needs by building a connection with the natural world -- Does it work for my kids? : Focus on the individual needs of children in your setting -- Taming the nature-based experience : making the most of your indoor environment -- Take that outside : making the most of your outdoor environment from potted gardens to endless wild spaces -- It's raining, it's pouring : getting children outdoors regardless of weather or setting -- Splish-splash : the joys of water -- Beneath our feet : sand, soil, mud, and rocks -- Let's get growing : experiences with flowers, trees, fruits & vegetables -- Pollinators, predators, and decomposers : insects, spiders, and worms -- The egg is only the beginning : learning about birds -- Do they slither, hop, jump or crawl? : Learning about reptiles and amphibians -- Got milk? Why yes, we do : learning about mammals -- Going beneath the surface : aquatic life -- Where do you live? : Habitats in nature -- Strengthening the bonds : getting families in nature.