| For Immediate Release: August 22, 2011 |
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NAEYC Publishes Nature Education Book for Early Childhood Educators
New book provides tips and strategies to fight “nature deficit disorder” in young children
WASHINGTON — The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is pleased to announce the publication of Spotlight on Young Children and Nature, a book that provides teachers of children from infancy to age 8 with tips and strategies to fight “nature deficit disorder” and increase children’s connection to the natural world.
In the book, a collection of articles from NAEYC’s award-winning journal Young Children, readers learn how to incorporate nature education into the daily curriculum and use nature to address early learning standards. Articles in the book discuss a variety of topics including gardening, the green school movement, and starting a family nature program. Vibrant illustrations from children’s author/illustrator Denise Fleming and photographs from real classrooms bring the text to life. The book also includes a resource list and professional development guide to help readers reflect on and improve their practice.
“Today’s fast-paced, technology-driven lifestyle has made daily outdoor explorations a challenge,” said Amy Shillady, Editor of Spotlight on Young Children and Nature. “But for young children, nature provides boundless opportunities for observing, exploring, discovering, and learning. This book will give teachers activities and ideas they can use with children of all ages to promote their learning and inspire their sense of wonder.”
Spotlight on Young Children and Nature is the 11th book in NAEYC’s popular Spotlight series. The other books in the Spotlight collection focus on a variety of early childhood topics, including play, assessment, language, math, and science. These best-selling books are popular among early childhood faculty and administrators, who often use them in college classes and in-service workshops.
“I love the synthesis of research and practical application in the Spotlight books,” said Eugene Geist, Associate Professor at Ohio University. “This blend keeps [undergraduates] engaged in the learning process, and they clearly see why they need to learn about development and learning.”
Funding for Spotlight on Young Children and Nature ($14.00; 56 pages, ISBN 978-1-928896-75-6) was generously provided in part by The Kresge Foundation.
The articles in the book were selected to inspire early childhood educators to learn from the natural world with children and their families. Spotlight on Young Children and Nature is available for sale from NAEYC’s Online Store.
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
