A Complete Collection for Early Learning Outdoor Experiences

Enjoy this thorough library of expertly researched materials by Redleaf Press concerning all things outdoor for early childhood professionals. Save 14% when you order this as a set. Descriptions of each resource detailed below.

Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens

In Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens environmental education expert David Sobel is joined by a variety of colleagues to walk readers through the European roots of nature-based programs to the recent resurgence of these kinds of programs in North America.

This book will inspire readers with

examples from successful outdoor programs

the strengths of a variety of nature-based approaches

the organizing principles of curriculum and best practices to create engaging outdoor experiences

tools for policy development, site assessment, selection, and risk management

Whether starting a new nature-based program or "naturalizing" an exsisting classroom Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens provides the mentorship and guidance to become a leader in nature-based education.

260 pages

Teaching STEM Outdoors

Nurture young children’s innate tendencies toward exploration, sensory stimulation, and STEM learning when you connect outdoor learning with STEM curriculum. Discover the developmental benefits of outdoor learning and how the rich diversity of settings and materials in nature gives rise to questions and inquiry for deeper learning.

Full of activities, examples, and resources to take the fun of STEM outside, this book will help teachers articulate connections between nature play, outdoor experiences, and STEM learning with young children. Use STEM and nature-based learning to foster children’s curiosity and exploration of the world.

200 pages

Nature-Based Learning for Young Children

Increase opportunities for nature-based education in any early childhood program, regardless of climate, region, budget, or experience.

Nature-Based Learning for Young Children is designed to provide ideas for all early childhood educators ranging from novice to highly experienced in a wide range of ecosystems, including forests, cities, prairies, coastal, urban, and deserts. It includes background information on a range of nature topics, reproducible parent newsletters, sample play-based lesson plans, guidance and health and safety issues related to nature activities, ideas for free/inexpensive equipment and materials and for big-ticket items, ideas for family involvement, and connections to early childhood learning standards. Chapters are divided by nature topic, so readers can dip in right away where they want to start exploring.

240 pages

Awards

Sky Above and the Mud Below

David Sobel’s follow-up to Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens walks readers through the nitty-gritty facts of running a nature-based program. Organized around nine themes, each chapter begins with an overview from the author, followed by case studies from diverse early childhood programs, ranging from those that serve at-risk children to public preschools to university farm programs to Waldorf schools.

Sample newsletters in each chapter show how real programs have tackled tough questions and sticky situations. The program featured in these newsletters are from across the United States: Maryland, New York, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Alabama, Connecticut, Illinois, Vermont, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Indiana.

272 pages.

Transforming Your Outdoor Early Learning Environment

Transforming Your Outdoor Early Learning Environment invites center and home-based educators to reimagine and reconstruct their image of conventional children's play yards as they know them and to create beautiful outdoor learning spaces on a limited budget with natural elements and loose parts that offer children opportunity for irresistible engaging explorations. Ideas, inspiration, and benefits for changing outdoor environments are provided along with the basics for designing, transforming, and maintaining 11 specific outdoor play zones.

Transforming Your Outdoor Early Learning Environment offers an approach that:

Requires minimal financial resources

Features loose parts and upcycled materials

Integrates nature

Includes inspiring photos of before and after transformations

Offers design tips and material lists

Describes how play in each area fosters children's competencies, development, and learning in the areas of social and emotional, language and communication, cognitive, physical, and expressive arts

184 pages.

Teaching Off Trail

Teaching Off Trail describes the transformation of Peter Dargatz, a national board-certified teacher, and public school coordinator, from an anxious assessor and worksheet distributor to a fair and fun facilitator of learning while in the same public school system.

This book offers strategies for readers to implement Peter's unique teaching philosophy to increase opportunities for play, creative expression, and personalization in both the indoor and outdoor classroom. In his own classroom, Peter brought learning outside by creating a nature kindergarten program that emphasizes community partnerships, service learning, and meaningful and memorable experiences in the outdoors. He incorporates techniques often identified as more informal settings like Reggio or Montessori, and shows how they work within a public school system.

Teaching Off Trail aims to inspire educators, administrators, and parents across all levels to turn their outrage for today's educational system into outreach that promotes passionate and purposeful problem-solving.

184 pages.

Creating Your Earth-Friendly Childhood Program

Creating your Earth-Friendly Early Chlidhood Program, Redleaf Quick Guide offers an approachable, efficient entry point for ECE educators who wish to instill ecofriendly values and practices in their programs. The guide will help educators evaluate their current environment and practices, get families and colleagues involved, and make both immediate and long-term changes to make their program "greener."

88 pages.

Learning From Doodoom Aki (Mother Earth)

Sit at the edge of the bush with Dr. Hopi Martin, Waabizheshi Oshkaabewis (Ojibwe Marten Clan Sacred Helper, Messenger, Fire Keeper, Lodge Caretaker) and educator, and bring a richer way of living with the land to the children in your care in this space of meeting between Indigenous and settler colonial worldviews. Learn to consider child development and education more wholistically following an Anishinaabe Seasonal Pedagogy that has relevance to how learning happens for all Peoples and Nations. Listen to Dr. Martin’s lived experiences of learning from the land and her First Peoples with his own children and come into a deeper understanding of the natural pattern of children’s unstructured outdoor play as you learn to make connections and relationships with the land you live on.

This specific knowledge sits at the “edge of the bush,” the traditional domain of Waabizheshii Doodem (Marten/Provider/Warrior Clan), at the natural meeting place between Peoples/Nations around the Great Lakes of Mishiikenh Minissing (Turtle Island/North America). While this Bush Knowledge can only be learned by physically coming into relationship with this Sacred Territory between worlds, what is shared here is an introduction to the Seasonal Pedagogy and how it can guide educators and families back into relationship with the land through children’s unstructured, land-based play. Re-establishing these reciprocal and respectful relationships with ourselves, our families, our communities, our Nations offers a pathway towards truth and reconciliation with Doodoom Aki (Mother Earth), Dede Giizhig (Father Sky), and all of our relations in all Four Directions.

Age Focus: 0-8. Softbound. 176 pages

Seeing Ourselves in Nature

In Seeing Ourselves in Nature, editor Jessica Fong asks how Black and Brown educators in the United States create space for predominantly Black and Brown children and families to reconnect to nature. Recognizing the scarcity of stories from people of the global majority in the predominately white literature surrounding nature education in the United States, Fong sought out thirteen other educators of color to share their rich and profound experiences with young children in nature. Sharing these stories is a first step in the long road to making nature education equitable for all children.

Age Focus: 0-8. Softbound. 192 Pages