Nature provides time for mistakes to be corrected (by both children and adults), for prejudices to be overcome, and for children to catch their breath and restore their image of themselves, peers, parents, teachers, and the world.
– Loris Malaguzzi, in The Hundred Languages of Children, 1998

Make your voice heard! The Natural Start Alliance is seeking your input on two important topics connecting young children with nature.

1. If you are currently teaching in a nature-based preschool, share your thoughts and experiences on how nature preschools are being impacted by and adapting to climate-related weather events (such as wildfire smoke, extreme heat, drought, flooding, and air quality).Your responses to this nationwide study will support researchers in creating strategies to support the physical and emotional well-being of nature preschool students and teachers in the context of the climate crisis. Learn more about the study, being conducted in collaboration with University of Cincinnati.

2. Professionals currently working in higher education institutions, teacher training, and teacher professional development are “warmly invited to take this 15-20 minute survey to help us understand how we prepare educators to work in nature-based early childhood education, particularly through higher education. Your unique perspective will enrich our findings and help us identify potential areas for advocacy and growth in nature-based education teacher preparation. Take the survey today.” For this research, the Natural Start Alliance is colloaborating with researchers at Hamline University, to expand on original 2019 survey research.

Ready to enrich connections with nature for young children’s and yourself? A few spots have opened up in the 2024 Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom Project Leadership Institute (July 14-17)! Register by July 9.