The Ecology Of Hope: Reconnecting Children And Nature


April 16, 2016


Quote of the Week

"A child more than anyone else, is a spontaneous observer of nature." - Maria Montessori

The Ecology Of Hope: Reconnecting Children And Nature

"For many reasons, beginning with the enormity of the challenges we face – from the malaise of the culture of depression to the ravages of lost biodiversity and global climate change, to the fragmentation of families, to the disillusion of many youth – we, who can, need to demonstrate the positive power of the Ecology of Hope.

We can exercise the will, make conscious choices, and cultivate a sense of efficacy in ourselves and others. We can make life better for children, and ourselves, by opening the door to the first classroom – the natural world, from backyards to neighborhoods to parks and public places.

We can inspire in children a belief that the world can be a better place. We can go a long way to achieving that goal by reconnecting children and nature." [read more]

Reading Corner

Title: Our Big Home
By: Linda Glaser
Ages: 5 - 8

"Young children usually think of their home as the structure in which they live. In Our Big Home, the author and illustrator present a much larger vision of home as the planet Earth. Linda Glaser's beautiful poem is a wonderful way to gently lead children toward the all-important understanding of caring for our environment. In her lyrical, child-oriented style, she presents the idea that our big home is shared not only with all people but with all plants and animals as well. She shows that we share the air, the water, the soil, and other elements that affect and sustain all of us who live on Earth. Elisa Kleven's vibrant art enhances the concept as she takes young readers to an African plain, a Caribbean island, a South American mountain, and around the world to see people and animals reveling in the beauty and abundance of our shared home." - Publishers

Be the Change

Here are some beautiful ideas to re-connect children with Mother Nature, through play. While we all pause to listen to the whispering sounds of nature and how they heal us, while we celebrate Earth Day April 22nd, let's continue to make an Earth Day everyday!