No Child Left Inside

Image by Patricia Román from Pixabay 

Recently, I completed a Master Naturalist Volunteer program to become certified in MN as an interpreter, citizen scientist and volunteer at parks, nature centers and natural areas. In the course of the intensive training, we learned alot about the importance of encouraging kids to enjoy nature. It was a natural fit for me because I always tried to include time outside or in nature as part of many of my programs. 

Libraries can definitely be a leader in this area in their programming.

Sarah Cournoyer recently shared a link on Facebook from Children & Nature Network:

"Today, there are over 580 nature-based preschools, forest kindergartens and outdoor preschools in the U.S., and that number has more than doubled in the past three years.

In response to the growing demand for outdoor and nature-based early childhood education, the University of Cincinnati announced on July 12 that it will begin offering a first-of-its-kind online child childhood education degree with a focus on nature-based early learning.

Learn more about this new program here."

Children & Nature Network website states: "We believe that the well-being of children and the wild places we love are inextricably linked. And while research tells us that regular time outdoors is essential for children’s healthy development, today’s kids are less connected to nature than ever before."

There are lots of opportunities to program with kids and families outside (as we learned during the pandemic) - from using things in nature to make or inspire art, to guided walks in parks, natural areas and waterways. The resources at Children and Nature Network website can give us even more ideas.