Nature Cements the New Learning: Expanding Nature-Based Learning into the K-5 Curriculum

Abstract

The increase of nature-based preschool programs in the United States, including nature preschools and forest kindergartens, has led to a growing interest in providing nature-based early childhood education (NbECE) at the elementary level. This chapter focuses on the successful expansion of nature-based early childhood education from an exemplary nature-based preschool at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) into the Kindergarten and First Grade curriculum in Bullock Creek Public Schools in Midland, Michigan. The maturation of the CNC Nature Preschool program, and the conscientious outreach by program directors, has led to the “naturalization” of a local public school district.

We illustrate changes in public school administrator attitudes and decision-making about nature-based programming. In addition, we show how this growth in NbECE has led to improvements in child outcomes at the preschool and K-1 levels, particularly related to motivation and enthusiasm for learning, language development, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning, physical development, and executive function.

Appendix A: Chippewa Nature Center Preschool Profile

The Chippewa Nature Preschool is located at the Chippewa Nature Center. This nature preschool started in 2007 as one classroom using an existing building on the nature center grounds. In 2009, it expanded to two classrooms in a new “green” two-story preschool building that is cedar sided, with windows that reach up above the second story to offer natural light to the hallway and classrooms that are on either side. A lovely wooded path leads parents from the parking lot through a natural play area to the nature preschool (Fig. 7).

Fig. 7

Chippewa Nature Preschool play area

Situated on 1148 acres of diverse habitats including woodlands, wetlands, rivers, and upland fields, two-fenced in natural outdoor play areas, surrounded by a rustic rail fence, enclose the preschool in the front and the back. Classes start their day outside in one of these two natural play areas. Features of the play areas include a rowboat, stage, and log seating for dramatic play, an outdoor Plexiglas easel in a wooden frame, and a storage shed built into the fence that contains a myriad of garden and sandbox tools and tricycles. A hill with a built-in slide has a central focus in the front area (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8

Chippewa Nature Preschool meeting area

Other features of the play areas include rain barrels, mud kitchens, gardens, sandboxes, log benches, logs to balance on in various stages of decay, building frames, loose parts, and other rocks and stumps that dot the landscape. More than 15 miles of trails extend their way out of the play areas including a boardwalk and pond that line one of the sides of the preschool building.

After spending at least 30–45 min in unstructured play in one of the natural play areas, the class meets on the logs (or circle of tree cookies) for a group time before going out on the trails to one of the many habitats and destinations available at the nature center. The children go outside every day in all weather.

The focus of the hike observed was of the forest ecosystem. The class hiked through the woods. Along the way, the children encountered some turkeys. The children and teachers became extremely quiet and approached the turkeys, stalking them. The children became part of the forest floor by lying down and covering themselves with leaves and then remaining there very still for a minute. Afterward, they continued on their hike playing some running games along the way (Fig. 9).

Fig. 9

Children becoming part of the forest

After the hike, the class returns to the preschool building and heads inside. Upon entering the preschool building, there is a warm and inviting atmosphere with knotty pine paneling, several large windows, and leather and wood rustic couches in the reception area. The center hallway rises up two stories containing windows that let in the natural light. Windows adorn the hallway on both levels allowing natural light to penetrate the classrooms from above and parents to view their children in the classrooms from below. The cubbies are located in the hallway under the windows. The classrooms are beautiful state-of-the-art spaces with wood furnishings primarily from Community Playthings and natural materials throughout. Each classroom has a full kitchen. Opposite the hallway is a row of windows that look outside to several bird feeders and out to the boardwalk and pond (Fig. 10).

Fig. 10

Chippewa Nature Preschool indoor classrooms

The 2 classrooms house 4 classes with 16–18 children each and 1 lead teacher and 2 assistant teachers per class. The teaching teams have diverse backgrounds (in both early childhood and environmental education). Inside the classroom the children have snack, choice time (for an hour) where they can choose the activities that are available in the classroom, small group time for a more focused activity, and large group time for a story or song and to say goodbye.

Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom by signing up on a calendar. There are three to four preschool family nights throughout the year, as well as family programs at the nature center. The teachers also send home activities for the children to do with their families to get outside when at home.