Summary
Integrating nature education into the curriculum teaches children many important concepts, such as aesthetics, respect, caring for the earth, and the interrelationships among humans and the habitat. As the world becomes more populated and polluted, and as some animal and plant life becomes endangered and extinct, the role that we all play in protecting or destroying the earth can be reinforced. Through nature study, children can learn how they affect the environment as well as how the environment affects them. By having rich and varied opportunities to experience and explore nature, children can begin to value and appreciate their immediate world and will hopefully generalize this knowledge to other situations and places.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Curriculum Resources
Austin Association for the Education of Young Children. (1973).Ideas for teaching with nature. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Cohen, S., & Trostle, S. L. (1990). This land is our land: Promoting ecological awareness in young children.Childhood Education, 66, 304–310.
Cornell, J. B. (1979).Sharing nature with children. Nevada City, CA: Ananda.
Dorsey, J. (1982).Introducing your kids to the outdoors. Washington, DC: Stonewell Press.
Furman, E. (1990). Plant a potato—Learn about life (and death).Young Children, 46, 15–20.
Gale, F., & Gale, C. (1975).Experiences with plants for young children. Palo Alto, CA: Pacific Books.
Griffin, S. (1990). Go fishing to teach respect for nature.Dimensions, 18, 8–9.
Hiller, D. (1977).Young naturalist. College Station: Texas A & M Press.
Hofschild, K. A. (1991). The gift of a butterfly.Young Children, 46, 3–6.
Hulnick, A., LoScalzo, J., & Loughlin, J. (1981).Earth, Sea, and sky: Environmental activities for pre-school through first grade. Portland: Environmental Education Association of Oregon.
Hunken, J. (1988). Plant activities for the pre-literate child.Nature Study, 41, 33–34
Katz, A. (1986). Naturewatch: Exploring nature with young children. Menlo Park, CA: Addison-Wesley.
Knapp, C. (1981).Humanizing environmental education: A guide for leading nature and human nature activities. Martinsville, IN: American Camping Association.
Link, M. (1981).Outdoor education: A manual for teaching in nature's classroom. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Nature education in the urban environment. (1991). Jamestown, NY: Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
People and forests. (1986).NatureScope, 2, 48–61.
Rockwell, R. E., Sherwood, E. A., & Williams, R. A. (1983).Hug a tree and other things to do outdoors with children. Mt. Rainier, MD: Gryphon House.
Russell, H. R. (1990).A teacher's guide to using the school ground for environmental studies. Washington, DC: National Science Teachers Association.
Straw, H. (1990). The nursery garden.Early Child Development and Care, 57, 1090–119.
Trees in our lives. (1986).NatureScope, 2, 62–70.
Ukens, L. (1986).Science experiences for preschoolers. Columbus, OH: Council for Elementary Science International; ERIC Clearinghouse for Science, Mathematics, and Environmental Education.
Ward, C. (1992). Toddlers and nature: A natural!Scholastic Pre-K Today, 57, 61–63.
Weeks, M. K. (1984). Creative environmental education activities for young children.Nature Study, 37, 62–63.
References
Bredekamp, S. (Ed.). (1987).Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Bridging early childhood and nature education. (1991). Jamestown, NY: Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. (ERIC Document Reproduction No. 330 527).
Bybee, R. W., & Sund, R. B. (1982).Piaget for educators. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill.
Carle, E. (1979).The very hungry caterpillar. Cleveland, Ohio: William Collins.
Hendrick, J. (1990).Total learning: Developmental curriculum for the young child. Columbus, Ohio: Charles E. Merrill.
Holt, B. G. (1989).Science with young children (rev. ed.). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Nachbar, R. R. (1992). What do grown-ups do all day? The world of work.Young Children, 47, 6–12.
Shuttlesworth, D. E. (1952).Exploring nature with your child: An introduction to the enjoyment and understanding of nature. New York: Greystone.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bullock, J.R. Helping children value and appreciate nature. Early Childhood Educ J 21, 4–8 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02361407
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02361407