Throughout history, human children have grown up with nature as a favorite and powerful play partner. Today, though, that connection is vanishing amidst an onslaught of parental fears, over-scheduled childhoods, urbanization, and the addictive allure of plugged-in play. Ken Finch, President of Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood, will discuss the diverse and significant impacts of nature-based play on holistic child development, as well as how nature play lays the foundation for life-long bonds with nature. Using research data, anecdotes, discussion, and thematic cartoons, Finch will share thoughts and suggestions about these powerful changes, and how early childhood programs can help restore "nature play" to our children's lives.
Follow-up Presentation:
In the second part of Ken Finch's presentation, we will focus on the nuts and bolts of how the power and delight of nature-based play can be brought into our early childhood programs. Does it require acres of wild land right outside the classroom, or can it be done in a small, fenced playground? What if you have no outside space of your own? Does it need to cost tens of thousands of dollars? Finch will share slides of practical, inexpensive, and successful approaches to nature play in early childhood settings. Participants will be asked to share their own ideas, barriers, and opportunities about nature play, and to take the first tiny steps in formulating new plans for their own programs.