You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
– Jane Goodall

The question is often asked whether teachers of young children should be focusing on inspiring wonder in nature or teaching environmental action. In an article that accompanies the Exchange Reflections, “To Save or Savor,” Ruth Wilson asserts that it’s important to do both, aligning environmentally appropriate practice with developmentally appropriate practice. Citing several studies which note children’s competence, compassion and connections with nature, Wilson concludes, “Integrating sustainability and early childhood education represents a ‘goodness of fit’ with benefits to children, society and the world of nature.”

Ruth Wilson served as an advisor for the Environmental Kinship Guide by Heather Fox, Megan Gessler, Amanda Higgins, Anne Meade, Claire Warden and Sheila Williams Ridge. This free guide brings structure to the integration of care and wonder by considering ways children are learning in, with, about and for nature.