Connecting with Kids in Nature and Planning Activities

We often lose sight of the small things in life.  If you watch small children play, they focus on the simplest of things.  My son loves to hold and throw rocks, play in the dirt and takes wonder in bugs and even tree bark.  Often I take him outside and have a goal of getting somewhere or playing on a particular structure, but I soon realize that he just wants to explore the small things at his fingertips.  He could spend hours playing in the dirt outside, and I see his face light up with wonder and excitement.  It is easy to forget that simple things in nature can be exciting and wonderful.  You don't have to have amazing sunsets, sunrises or dramatic landscapes to experience nature.  My fondest memories growing up were playing in the woods outside of our house.  My brother, friends and I spent countless hours exploring and playing in those woods.  I have since revisited them and wondered how we spent so much time in a small patch of woods, with no views, no special features.  We all need to take time to appreciate the small things.  These books do a nice job of highlighting creative activities that help children and adults foster relationships with nature. Watch for these books in the EE Resource Center Soon!

Here are some books that help us think and act creatively, while learning about nature. They will be located at the Environmental Literacy Center at the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs


"With a call to live like a child and teach with more meaning, this book explores holistic- and arts-based techniques that support and enhance children’s academic and social-emotional development. It encourages you to teach and connect with children in ways that are organic, trusting, and empowering.

Living Like a Child is divided into three sections, which are filled with stories, techniques, and support to help you learn, live, and teach creatively:

Master Teaching Principles facilitates your growth as a learner and leader.
Life Learning Techniques contains artistic, play-based practices that enhance children’s—and your own—learning, growth, and development. This section includes activities that incorporate music, affirmation, breathing, visualization, movement, and dramatic delivery. Popular, proven, and research-based, these techniques help children develop creativity and critical-thinking skills.
Measurable and Immeasurable Results presents data on the effectiveness of the techniques, showing the academic improvement of preschool children who were exposed to them"

"For children, potential is limitless, curiosity is an electrical current, and every moment is open to the possibility of the unexpected. Day-to-day life is filled with adventure. Road blocks are invitations to try new routes. And the world is vast and expansive. This book is a celebration of childhood through the crafts and activities that invite wonder and play. The twenty-five projects and activities in this book are meant to speak to the way children engage with the world. These projects are not about what is produced in the end (although that part is fun too) but rather they are stepping-off points—activities that spark curiosity, an adventure, or an investigation. They’re about the process of getting there. They’re about the conversations that happen while making things together. They’re about getting to know the world inch by inch. They’re about exploring imaginary universes and running through real forests. They’re about living in childhood . . . regardless of your actual age. They’re about being a kid."

Science is reliant on data collection and this book does a great job of showing how at an early age, we all can collect and analyze science.

":Anyone can get involved in gathering data for ongoing, actual scientific studies such as the Audubon Bird Count and FrogWatch USA. Just get out into a field, urban park, or your own backyard. You can put your nose to a monarch pupa or listen for raucous frog calls. You can tally woodpeckers or sweep the grass for ladybugs. This book, full of engaging photos and useful tips, will show you how."

"Make nature an integral part of the classroom! With rising childhood obesity rates and children’s heavy use of electronics, the need for quality time in nature is greater than ever. Put away gadgets, turn off screens, and discover all that the natural world has to offer.

Celebrate Nature! is filled with hands-on activities to revive children’s connections with nature. Each seasonal section—autumn, winter, spring, and summer—introduces seven themes with countless ways to integrate nature into the classroom. Chapters encourage reflection of your own memories of the seasons and provide activities that address science and discovery, math, blocks and building, language arts, reading, writing, dramatic play, art, and music. Also included are sample letters and suggested at-home activities to support family participation in this important learning."