Recommended Reading

There are many books, periodicals, and other publications that are available to provide guidance and/or inspiration to those who have key roles to play in reconnecting children with nature. 

For Parents & Teachers:

Cornell, Joseph; Sharing Nature With Children; Dawn Publications; Nevada City, CA; 1998

Louv, Richard; Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder; Algonquin Books; Chapel Hill, NC; 2008

Sobel, David; Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education; The Orion Society; Great Barrington, MA: 1996

Bourne, Barbara; Taking Inquiry Outdoors; Stenhouse Publishers; Portland, MA; 1999

Broda, Herbert; Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning: Using the Outdoors as an Instructional Tool (K - 8); Stenhouse Publishers; Portland, MA; 2007

National Wildlife Federation; Connecting Today’s Kids With Nature; 2009 [ Click Here for pdf. ]

For Teachers:

Sobel, David; Childhood and Nature: Design Principles (or Play Motifs) For Educators; Stenhouse Publishing; Portland, ME; 2008

[ Click Here for pdf. of Summary ]

Sobel, David; Place-Based Education: Connecting Classrooms & Communities; The Orion Society; Great Barrington, MA: 2004

Garrett, Linda & Thomas, Hannah; Small Wonders: Nature Education For Small Children; Vermont Institute For Natural Science; Woodstock, VT; 2005

Grant, Tim & Littlejohn, Gail; Teaching Green: The Elementary Years; Stenhouse Publishers; Portland, ME: 2005

Coyle, Kevin; Using the Outdoors to Enhance Classroom Performance; National Wildlife Federation; 2009

[ Click Here for pdf. ]

Behrens, Larry; A Guide to the Planning and Development of Outdoor Classrooms;  Missouri Department of Conservation - Education Division; 1993

For Children & Parents:

Wiese, Richard; Born to Explore: How to be a Backyard Explorer; Harper Collins Publishing; New York, NY; 2008

Van Noy, Richard; A Natural Sense of Wonder: Connecting Kids With Nature Throughout the Seasons; University of Georgia Press; 2008

Sources For Activities

There are numerous books, pamphlets, periodicals, and other written publications that are available to provide ideas for activities to implement to reconnect children with nature. 

For  Children & Teachers:

Basile, Carol G.; Nature at Your Doorstep: Real World Investigations For Primary Students; Teacher Idea Press; Englewood, CO; 1997

The Big Book of Nature Projects; Thames & Hudson; New York, NY; 1997

Hands on Nature: Information & Activities For Exploring the Environment With Children; Vermont Institute of Natural Science; Woodstock, VT; 2000

Raham, R. Gary; Explorations in Backyard Biology: Drawing on Nature in the Classroom in Gr. 4 - 6; Teacher Ideas Press; Englewood, CO; 1996

Sherwood, Eliz. & Rockwell, Robert; Science Adventures: Nature Activities For Young Children; Gryphon House; Mt. Ranier, MD; 2008

For Children & Parents:

Lang, Susan; Nature in Your Backyard: Simple Activities For Children; Millbrook Press; New York, NY; 1995

Danks, Fiona; Nature Playground: Activities, Crafts and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors; Chicago Review Press; Chicago, IL; 2007

Ward, Jennifer; I Love Dirt!: 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover The Wonders of Nature; Shambhala Publications; Boston, MA; 2008

Rockwell, Robert & Sherwood, Eliz.; Hug a Tree and Other Activities To Do Outdoors With Young Children; Gryphon House; Mt. Ranier, MD; 1983

Summer 2009 Nature Staycation Guide; Nature Rocks;

[ Click Here for pdf ]

Nature Smart: Awesome Projects to Make With Mother Nature’s Help; Sterling Publishing; New York, NY; 2003

Potter, Jean; Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: 100 Activities you Can Do in 10 Minutes or Less; John Wiley & Sons; New York, NY; 1995

Koontz, Robin M..; The Complete Backyard Nature Activity Book: Fun Projects For Kids to Learn About the Wonders of Wildlife & Nature; McGraw Hill; New York, NY; 1998

Nature Club For Families; The Children & Nature Network; March 2009  [ Click Here for pdf ]