Page 14 - NatureStart Network
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and culture, as well as many others. However, there is countless Play Zoo families and preschool groups
inherent value in time spent playing and exploring with has helped to shape and inform our professional
nature in and of itself. development training programs.
These years of practical experience led to the
The History of NatureStart development of NatureStart, a comprehensive
The Chicago Zoological Society has a longstanding early childhood initiative. As our NatureStart Early
commitment to connecting young children and their Childhood Initiative has grown, we have partnered with
families to nature. universities and community-based organizations to
Conservation psychology research is a field of provide nature play events in underserved communities.
study CZS developed, beginning with a charette in We also mentor youth, provide college internship
1997 exploring early childhood roots of conservation. opportunities, and make our play gardens available
Conservation psychology investigates the relationships as a therapy site to an early intervention program for
between humans and nature and how people develop children with disabilities. NatureStart also includes
positive relationships with the natural world. Based a professional development component, providing
upon this work, in 2001, we opened the Hamill Family training to zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and other
Play Zoo, a groundbreaking exhibit firmly rooted in conservation organizations. We teach how to deliver
an understanding of conservation psychology and effective programs and environments that increase
early childhood development. The exhibit features young children’s opportunities for play, exploration, and
15,000 square feet of hands-on opportunities and is discovery in nature. Informal educators who have taken
surrounded by two acres of outdoor discovery gardens, part in our trainings often transform their approach, and
and more than 300 animals. Children can garden, play the network of early childhood environmental educators
in the woods, build forts, make mud pies, pretend in zoos and aquariums in the United States and in Latin
to be animals, and care for animals in ways that are America is rapidly growing.
meaningful and relevant to them.
We have assembled a dedicated, talented, and Learn more about NatureStart
multidisciplinary team of educators with backgrounds
in the arts, sciences, early childhood education, and NatureStart Professional Development incorporates
informal learning. Our team is known as “play partners” theory and practice for learning and skill-building
by the children who visit us, and that nickname activities. It teaches professionals how to create and
effectively describes our approach: we treat children as facilitate inquiry-based play and learning experiences
our partners in learning, and we learn through play. Our within their unique, informal learning settings.
play partners and children work together to take care NatureStart Professional Development is learner-focused
of the world around them in meaningful ways through and inquiry-based. It helps educators see the world
daily walk-in programs offered throughout the day. through a child’s point of view, to speak children’s
The Play Zoo is a real-world, learn-through-play language, and temper our deep-seated instincts to jump
laboratory. Fifteen years of study and evaluation with in and direct.
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