Page 17 - NatureStart Network
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NatureStart Network At-a-Glance CHAPTER SUMMARY: AT-A-GLANCE
Key Players • Families need a safe way children can experience and
enjoy nature.
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Forest Preserve District Mary Crane Head El Valor Head Start • Early childhood educators have enormous potential
of Cook County Start staff staff members to provide opportunities for children and families to
staff members members explore nature through play, but they need help to
develop proven nature-play programs and curricula.
Timeline
January 2015-April 2016 • The Chicago Zoological Society has a legacy for
creating proven early childhood, nature play
Before the first learning session, participants were activities. From this experience, they developed
asked about their background and experience. the NatureStart program that includes educator
professional development, internships, and more.
42% of participants had some training on how NatureStart’s goal is to equip and inspire educators
young children learn through nature play to incorporate inquiry-based, nature play activities in
57% 86%of FPDCC their classrooms, nature centers, and neighborhoods,
participants& of Head Start with a particular emphasis on programming that
participants meets the needs of urban-dwelling families.
had a moderate or advanced understanding of how • From successful NatureStart professional
young children learned development and with an IMLS grant, CZS
assembled a network of Head Start educators in
Before NatureStart, only 18% of Head Start participants marginalized Chicago neighborhoods and the Forest
reported “good” or “excellent” awareness of FPDCC Preserve District of Cook County. The purpose
resources compared with 55% after was to share resources and expertise and provide
NatureStart training and make nature play early
Nearly all participants (97%) agreed the program met its childhood education accessible to urban families.
stated objectives
• During the 18-month pilot project, NatureStart
Participants reported they gained the most knowledge about Network participants gained skills, knowledge,
connections, and resources to collaborate and create
• What parents should gain from a nature play experience nature play activities for the communities they serve.
•
• How adults can guide learning through nature play
• Techniques to help adult learners develop new skills
• How to create an environment that promotes adult
learning
• Skills required to be a good mentor to adult learners
Two months after the final learning session, we asked
participants to reflect on what they felt they had gained.
• NatureStart was helping them to better understand and
appreciate the impact of nature on child development
• Recognize the importance of engaging entire families
in nature experiences
• Feel more confident working with young children
• Feel personally more connected with nature
• Recognize more opportunities to explore
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