United States
£ GBP
Learning with Nature is full of fun activities and games to get your children outdoors, to explore, have fun, make things and learn about nature and help them grow up happy and healthy. Suitable for groups of children aged between 3 and 16, the graded activities help children develop:
- Key practical and social skills
- Awareness of their place in the world
- Respect for the natural world all while enjoying the great outdoors.
Written by experienced Forest School practitioners, using tried and tested games and activities, it provides comprehensive information for enriching childrens' learning through nature. The games and activities are clearly categorized, with step-by-step instructions, age guide, a list of resources needed, and invisible learning points. Learning with Nature is a unique must-have resource for families, schools, youth groups and anyone working with children.
Foreword by Chris Packham
Introduction
Looking after nature
GAMES
- Warm-ups
- Plants and trees
- Animals and birds
- Sensory awareness
- Team building
- Wandering
NATURALIST ACTIVITIES
- Tool safety
- Wild facts
- Birds
- Animals
- Plants
- Trees
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
- Teas through the seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Autumn
- Winter
SURVIVAL ACTIVITIES
- Foraging wild plants
- Fire safety
- Shelter
- Water
- Fire
- Wild food
Afterword by Jon Cree
Author biographies
Resources and bibliography
Nature organisations
Marina Robb is founder and Managing Director of Circle of Life Rediscovery CIC, a leading outdoor learning organisation. A qualified teacher who has specialised in environmental education, Marina's approach brings together best practice from environmental education, Forest School, eco-psychology, and indigenous wisdom. She draws upon many years of working with young people of all ages and backgrounds to create unique and fun learning experiences.
Victoria Mew has followed her love of nature and curiosity in indigenous cultures since she was 12 years old She trained with Wilderness Awareness School, WA, USA, before gaining a BscHons in Human Sciences at UCL. She has since founded 'Cultivating Curiosity', an organization that works with people of all ages outdoors facilitating deep nature connection. She is also a qualified forest school practitioner.
Anna Richardson is teacher of foraging workshops, and works with children of all ages. Over the last 20 years, Anna's interest in plants and traditional skills has developed through training, teaching and practising bush craft. Passionate about new and indigenous ways to educate, Anna co-creates local community projects that enable people to share and learn together to reconnect with nature.
"A creative and easy to read guide of games and activities for the great outdoors which are suitable for all ages, from children of nursery age right through to adults. [...] 6 out of 6 stars."
– Sandra Kent, Families Magazine
"This is a truly inspirational book that will get you and your children running to be outside."
– Cathi Pawon, Juno
"All three authors are experienced practitioners, and the book speaks with real authority [...] The result is a book of outdoor ideas that just beg to be tried."
– Make Wealth History
"This book will be invaluable to all gardeners who enjoy creating opportunities to get their younger family and friends excited about being in a garden. I thoroughly recommend it."
– The Gardening Times
"Learnlng with Nature is a valuable resource to anyone with a passion to create this connection between children and the outside world. With 100 different game and activity ideas, forest school leaders, families, home schoolers, cubs, brownie, scout and guide leaders would all find something here."
– Caroline Bennett, Westonbirt Magazine
"This wonderful new book aims to connect children with nature. Through a broad range of outdoor activities and games, young people are encouraged to engage their senses and interact with nature. This not only leads to a better understanding of the natural world but can also contribute to much broader agendas such as personal and social development. Most importantly, the activities are fun. It is through enjoyment and understanding that people will want to conserve and care for their environment and so I encourage everyone to give the book a try."
– Andy Naylor, John Muir England Award Manager
"This book enables key outdoor experiences to happen. It includes an exciting 'toolkit' of well-structured, engaging activities that will inspire, excite and encourage children to reconnect with nature – and to have a whole load of fun in the process!"
– Amanda Elmes, Learning, Outreach and Volunteer Lead, South Downs National Park Authority
"I recommend this book to you all, so 'get out, play and connect'!"
– John Cree, Chair of the Forest School Association
"Whether you are a parent or educator, Learning with Nature is full of ideas for fun in the great outdoors. It caters for children and young people of all ages and abilities – and comes with clear instructions and illustrations. So grab a copy, get your boots on, fill your backpack and head to your nearest wild (or not so wild) space for some playful adventures."
- Tim Gill, Author of No Fear: Growing Up In A Risk Averse Society
