A great resource that helps children unplug from electronics and plug into the natural world.

This book should be in the hands of every early childhood educator. In fact, this book alone could be sufficient for designing and implementing a top-notch early childhood program. From the thorough, engaging background material in each chapter to the rich and exciting learning activities throughout, author Patty Born Selly inspires best practices in sparking children's natural curiosity, exploration, discovery, and emerging understanding of their place in the world. As the title suggests, children who have the good fortune to learn in this way are sure to become good stewards of the natural world they have come to know and love. And they are sure to reap immeasurable benefits in terms of their own health, happiness, and eagerness to learn!

Selly, an educational consultant who provides teacher training and support for science and nature education initiatives and teaches nature and environmental education and science education at Hamline U. and Metropolitan State U., supplies early childhood educators with about 100 activities to help children learn about the environment through experience and play. Each chapter focuses on a common, key topic, with an introduction followed by a set of activities that help children explore the environment and develop a sense of wonder, curiosity, and joy in nature, without focusing on specific problems or issues. Details are given on goals, materials and supplies, procedures, safety, age range, correlations to standards, and suggestions for linking across disciplines. Included is a chapter on engaging staff and the community in efforts for lessening the environmental impact of early childhood facilities and operations.