Now in its second edition, Nature and Young Children promotes the holistic development of children by connecting them with nature. It offers advice and guidance on how to set up indoor and outdoor nature play spaces as well as encouraging environmentally responsible attitudes, values and behaviour in your early childhood setting.

Covering topics as diverse as gardening with young children, creating an accessible nature program for children with special needs and addressing cultural differences in connecting children with nature, this book reveals how important nature play can be in the development of young children.

This user-friendly book offers guidance on

alternative settings for nature-focused programs

international approaches to nature play in early childhood

the role of the adult in outdoor learning

using nature play for cross-curricular learning

integrating nature education and peace education

health and safety.

This highly accessible book will provide all early years practitioners, teachers and students on early childhood courses with a wealth of ideas on how to foster creative play and learning in nature-focused environments while also promoting positive connections with nature.

Contents

Introduction 1. Nature Play 2. Natural Outdoor Playspaces 3. Bringing the Outdoors In 4. Role of the Adult 5. Holistic Child Development 6. Fostering Academic Goals 7. Fostering Positive Conservation Attitudes 8. Special Considerations Epilogue Appendix 1. Special places for young children Appendix 2. Additional resources

Author Bio

Ruth Wilson has over 30 years' teaching experience as a teacher and teacher educator. Most of her work over the past 20 years has focused on connecting children with nature.