Description
Book SynopsisThere’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
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.
Trade Review"This book is a delight, providing thoughtful insights and numerous practical ideas for nurturing young children’s involvement with nature. It beautifully integrates concepts about nature into all aspects of children’s lives."—Eva L. Essa, Foundation Professor Emerita, University of Nevada, Reno
"The current educational focus on benchmarks has created learning environments that often sideline exploration and imaginative play. Honig not only reminds us of our responsibility to connect children with nature but also gives us a fabulous guidebook of easy ideas for outdoor experiences that will benefit all children."—Jennifer Caravello, Language Arts Teacher, Fayette County Public Schools, Lexington, Kentucky
"Honig provides practical ideas that are appealing, accessible, and multisensory. While supporting the teaching of a love of nature to promote compassionate, ecologically minded citizens, she also shows us how experiences with nature can be the most valuable and rich learning opportunities in young children’s lives."—Elise Hansen, Preschool Director, Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Awaken Children’s Senses to Delight in Nature 2. Nurture Children’s Emotional Development 3. Plan Outdoor-Related Experiences to Enhance Cognitive Development 4. Encourage Children’s Creativity With Natural Settings and Materials 5. Help Children Discover the Interconnectedness of Life 6. Use Nature Experiences to Help Children With Challenging Behaviors 7. Ignite Children’s Interest in Nature With Media 8. Engage Families and Communities in Enjoying and Preserving Nature Conclusion References Resources About the Author Acknowledgments
