I recently joined educators, administrators, researchers, and advocates from over 30 U.S. States and Canadian provinces for three days of nature-based early childhood education sponsored by the North American Association for Environmental Education and the Natural Start Alliance. Some of the conference topics were:
How nature play supports STEM learning
Documenting nature-based learning
How to support and assess risk
Curriculum design and implementation
Best practices in nature based education
Round-table discussions with research experts in nature-based education
I was thrilled with the engaging, informative messages. There was so much to experience and so much knowledge to take home. This conference and others like it provide valuable support to the growing number of nature-based preschools around the world.
However, my most memorable moment came from an encounter with a 4-year-old boy. He had come to Seattle University with his mother to pick up some university registration documents in the same building hosting my conference. He joined me at a water dispenser during a course break with a plastic cup in one hand and a very long-stemmed bright orange flower in the other. This conversation followed:
"Would you like me to help you get a drink?"
"No, I can do it," as the water began overflowing the cup before he could turn off the spigot.
"What do you have there?"
"It's a sword plant," he responded.
"A sword plant? I've never seen one before."
"This is the sword part," he said, pointing to the long, sturdy stem.
"Are you going to take it home and put it in a vase?"
"NO," he quickly responded with a look like "that's a silly question."
"It's a plant, not a flower," as if I forgot that only flowers go in vases. "See, it has a seed at the bottom," pointing to the perfectly shaped white bulb on the end of the stem. "And see these things," pointing to the bulbs roots, "These even stayed connected. I pulled hard so it would all come out. Now it will grow when I take it home and put in my garden."
Now it will grow when I take it home and put in my garden.
My experience with a 4-year-old reminds me of what I can learn when I engage in the simple process of experience, wonder, inquiry, and conversation with a child.
At Marbles Farm, educated teachers and a natural outdoor environment are ready for children to create wonder and inquiry and then take them home to grow in their gardens.
Marjan Oakeson, Director
For more information on Natural Start Alliance, click here.