[Note- Here are the notes I took that day, edited for clarity]
Notes – Day 3 Session 4
We connect so children connect with nature
Environmental Education for Children
1 1/2-hour session — limit 4 presenters
All Children
11/4/2016 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Gold Ballroom 2
JW Marriott
Judy Harris Helm, Consultant, Best Practices Inc.; Pam Scranton, Director, UPC Discovery; Nancy Jones, Chairperson, UPC Discovery Preschool Committee, United Presbyterian Church; Richard Helm, Properties Chairman, United Presbyterian Church
Three years ago, the Preschool committee recognized the lack of nature experiences in the children’s lives. They looked at research and discussed how to change their outdoor areas and provide more natural outdoor activities for all children in the congregation of the church which sponsored the preschool. It was clear that this was a bigger task than the preschool staff and parents could handle. They sought other adults who might be interested. This Nature Connections group’s 3 goals are to provide a community where people connect to learn about and enjoy nature together, to encourage everyone to utilize the campus and natural areas, and to enhance the outdoor Nature Explore Classroom. Nature Rangers are individuals who agreed to help plan and supervise activities. The presentation shares that journey. Questions and comments will be invited after each segment. Why Connect with Nature? – Nature Connections Chairman shares research and goal setting Participants take a quick quiz on children and nature today. Did I Really Say I’d Do This? – Director shares the challenges of outdoor areas. Participants (shared/pair) discuss their experience. How on Earth Do We Do This? –a business woman, shares her experiences with professional training, goal setting and organization including the Parent Work Day. Here Is Where We Are – slides and video show outdoor classroom, recycling water fall, hiking trails, art area, tree house, parent-child activities, and mud kitchen. What is it Like to Be a Nature Ranger? – An attorney, shares his experiences.
Showed persil dirt is good commercial – robo boy
(which made everyone tear up) [Edit 11/5/17: It still makes me tear up!]
sorting by colors are appropriate to toddlers [why do we ask these questions to preschoolers?]
use it or lose it – have these experiences
the brain is shaped by the experiences within an environment
when you are stressed out, your brain doesn’t function so well
if it [has] experiences to do problem solving, then it is is likely to do that in the future
direct interaction with self sustaining {teacher?}
free to poke, climb etc
the walls are for the children’s work
and teachers way to communicate
Timeline (at children’s level)
past – current – tomorrow
prayer board
use cloth, rocks, sticks to tell bible stories
co-learners with children and partner with parents
yearly maintenance – parent workdays
one in fall – one in spring
prioritize projects of environmental change for kids
bird feeders right outside the gate so kids can watch
find a source where the people will help you
[[everyone was wearing smokey the bear hats they bought on amazon]]