Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/wonder-a-context-for-place-based-learning-with-nature/5025980/
*Photos can be found in the pdf version of this article.
“We make the places and the places make us.”
— Jim Greenman
Nature-based spaces should respect and celebrate the site’s natural assets, local culture, climate and history.
— NACC’s Universal Principles for Connecting Children with Nature, worldforumfoundation.org/nacc-up
Think back to when you were a child. What experiences touched you, or even shaped who you are today? Chances are, those experiences were not part of a standardized curriculum, and were more likely highly personal and unique to where you grew up. Educators who tune into this power of place discover ways to build, and build on, children’s relationships with where they live—their local environment, community and culture. Greg Smith offers both background and a deep understanding of place-based learning, which calls to mind a core tenet of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: children’s rights to participation—to having a voice in issues that impact their lives. Barb Carlson and Karen Anderson vividly share how they’ve brought an understanding and love of place to the children and families in their programs. As leaders ...