Ruth Wilson

Bowling Green State University, Special Education, Environmental Studies, Emerita

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Ruth Wilson, Ph.D. has been an educator and teacher educator for over thirty years and has devoted most of her career to connecting young children with nature.
Address: Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

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Margaret J Somerville

Western Sydney University

Małgorzata Kowalik-Olubińska

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Kirsi Yliniva

University of Oulu

Kristiina Brunila

Bretton A Varga

California State University, Chico

Chessa Adsit-Morris

Emily Carr University of Art and Design

Diane R. Collier

Brock University

Jaime Barratt

The University of Queensland, Australia

Alexandra Lakind

American Council for Learned Societies

Tracy Charlotte Young

Southern Cross University

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Papers by Ruth Wilson

What Is Nature

The concept of nature and how humans relate to nature provide the framework for this philosophica... more The concept of nature and how humans relate to nature provide the framework for this philosophical discussion on challenges facing the evolving field of early childhood environmental education. Posthumanistic thinking is proposed as an alternative to what is perpetuated through a more typical Western approach to education. This Western approach tends to reinforce and widen the human-nature separation. A common theme emerging from interdisciplinary thinking about the nature-human connection centers around kinship versus domination. This theme is presented as central to posthumanistic thinking. Suggestions are offered on how to apply post-humanism to pedagogy, especially at the early childhood level. Adopting a post-humanistic approach in working with children is considered to be critical to the very survival of the planet while also nurturing the holistic development of children. Posthumanism is also presented as a catalyst for ushering in a community of life that's inclusive of multispecies beings sharing one common world. Provocations for the future include addressing five areas of concern: (1) how nature is presented to children; (2) the meaning and practice of nature play; (3) the capabilities of children; (4) a pedagogy of discomfort; and (5) deeper dimensions of wonder. The essay concludes with a call to take up the challenge of thinking with nature and finding more entangled ways of being in the world.

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Natural Beginnings

This paper presents a description of Natural Beginnings, an early childhood environmental educati... more This paper presents a description of Natural Beginnings, an early childhood environmental education teacher inservice workshop. The purpose, content, and format of the workshop are discussed, as are evaluation results. Evaluation results indicate that the workshop was highly effective in increasing teachers ' confidence in infusing environmental education into an early childhood curriculum, fostering teachers ' own understanding and appreciation of the natural environment, introducing teachers to environmental education materials and other resources in the community, and fostering partnerships between early childhood educators and environmental education resource professionals. One unique feature of the workshop was the development and field-testing of new environmental education materials (i.e., activity kits and instructional units) appropriate for the early childhood level. In addition to evaluating the effectiveness of the workshop, participant feedback was also used t...

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A sense of place

Early Childhood Education Journal, 1997

ConclusionPlaces shape the stories of our lives. These stories become ongoing “ecological convers... more ConclusionPlaces shape the stories of our lives. These stories become ongoing “ecological conversations”—i.e., expressions of the dialogue between ourselves and the environment (Lutts, 1985). When this conversation ends, so will our future.The development of healthy environmental awareness and concern starts with a feeling response to nature. Such a response comes primarily by way of firsthand positive experiences in the out-of-doors, especially in environments fostering a “sense of place” experience. Attention to creating a sense of place for young children can thus prove helpful in fostering a lifelong commitment to the natural environment. In designing “sense of place” play and learning spaces for young children, we are, indeed, designing the future as well.

Natural outdoor playspaces

Developing an Environmental Outdoor Play Space

Young Children, 1996

... Abstract: Notes that most playgrounds for young children fail to encourage children's re... more

Holistic child development

The spiritual life of children

Choice Reviews Online, 1991

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The Color Green: A "Go" for Peace Education

Exchange the Early Childhood Leaders Magazine Since 1978, 2009

... Record Details - EJ844924. Title: The Color Green: A "Go" for Peace Education. Full... more ... Record Details - EJ844924. Title: The Color Green: A "Go" for Peace Education. Full-Text Availability Options: ... Publication Date: 2009-00-00. Pages: 4. Pub Types: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive. Abstract: This article talks about the "Green Approach" to peace education. ...

Nature and Young Children: Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments. Second Edition

Routledge Taylor Francis Group, Jun 15, 2012

Environmental Education: Let Nature Be Your Teacher

Day Care Early Education, 1995

Is your outdoor area an exciting and healthy place for young children to be? Does it offer young ... more Is your outdoor area an exciting and healthy place for young children to be? Does it offer young children the opportunity to smell the earth, climb a tree, hide under a bush, watch butterflies move among the flowers, sit on a rock, dig a hole, grow flowers and vegetables, and be alone in a quiet spot? If not, you may wish to give some thought to enhancing your outdoor area to foster an understanding and appreciation of the natural environment. The outdoor environment of a preschool program typically consists of a grassy area, some playground equipment, and a paved area for riding bikes and bouncing balls. These areas are usually called playgrounds and are designed to foster large-motor skills and give young children the opportunity to run about freely and loudly. What such areas do not offer, however, is rich opportunities to learn about the natural environment. Learning about the outdoor environment, however, is an important aspect of early childhood development

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Environmental Education. The Development of the Ecological Self

Early Childhood Education Journal, 1996

Natural Beginnings: An Early Childhood Environmental Education Teacher Inservice Workshop

This manual contains an outline of a 4-day teacher training workshop focusing on environmental ed... more This manual contains an outline of a 4-day teacher training workshop focusing on environmental education at the early childhood level. The overall purpose of the workshop is to stimulate the infusion of environmental education into early childhood programs as a way of fostering in young children an understanding of and appreciation for the natural environment. The format of the workshop represents a hands-on process approach to leaning and is based on a problem-solving and investigative instructional approach. The workshop is designed to be implemented over a 4-day period with a 1-day follow-up session scheduled several months after the initial sessions. During the interim, workshop participants are expected to develop and field test an instructional unit with an accompanying activity kit that is to be shared during the follow-up session. This includes introduction, rationale, and purpose and objectives; overview of the workshop; designing the workshop; publicity and recruitment; application and confirmation; workshop outline; additional ideas; time line for participants' responsibilities; evaluaLion; references; and additional resources. Appendices include funding proposal for the workshop, bibliography of books relating to trees, Project Learning Tree bibliography, storytelling for all ages, and Life Lab curriculum. (JRH)

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Teaching Children to Save the Earth

Early Childhood News, 1996

Special Educational Needs in the Early Years. Teaching and Learning in the First Three Years of School

Developmentally Appropriate Interpretation with Preschool Children

Legacy, 1996

This is My School!

Legacy, 1996

The Wonders of Nature: Honoring Children's Ways of Knowing

Enhancing the Outdoor Learning Environment of Preschool Programmes

Environmental Education, 1994