Page 12 - NatureStart Network
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CHAPTER SUMMARY: AT-A-GLANCE FOR PRACTICE
• Spending time in nature is important In our NatureStart Professional Development,
for children’s social, emotional, physical, we encourage educators to reflect upon their own
and intellectual wellbeing. experiences with nature over their lifespan, beginning
with earliest childhood memories of exploring and
• Access to nature often is unequal and as a result, playing with nature. Take a moment to think about
children need caring adults, educators, and family your earliest memories of exploring and playing with
members who create opportunities to explore nature. nature. This is not limited to vast green spaces; it can be
as simple as a favorite tree or patch of weeds in a ditch.
• With an active sense of wonder and It may be places you explored alone, with friends, or
curiosity, we can see that nature is all with family. Use a broad definition of nature to include
around us no matter where we live. any meaningful memories with plants, animals, land, or
water. Where did you have experiences like this? Who
• Children need adults in their lives who accompanied you? What did you do? What did it look
share in their nature play journey. like? What did it smell like? What do you notice about
these experiences? Why are they important to you? How
• Children need conservation leaders did they shape who you are now? Share these memories
who act on their behalf. with friends and colleagues from a range of cultures and
backgrounds, and listen carefully to their stories. These
• Connecting children to nature, especially nature play memories can be a significant starting point
in marginalized neighborhoods, can be for thinking about the types of experiences you can
understood as a social justice issue. recreate for the important children in your life and the
children with whom you work an educator.
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