Natalie Crowley
What is your earliest memory of playing in nature?
My earliest memory of playing in nature is making mud pies, acorn mash, and plum juice in my backyard with my older sister and next door neighbor. We would spend hours harvesting our materials, organizing supplies, and getting messy!
How does time in nature impact the whole child?
When children spend time in nature, they develop connection to and empathy for the natural world, and this naturally extends to how they interact with their fellow human beings. Children who may be challenged by the restraints of a traditional classroom setting are often able to thrive in outdoor settings, where they can move their bodies more freely, use all their senses to learn, and capitalize on their many skills and strengths. Nature play and exploration also builds confidence and resilience in children by exposing them to risk-taking opportunities and gently nudging them outside their comfort zones.
What is your favorite thing to do outside in nature? Do you have any favorite picture books
I love making nature mandalas. Creating art out of found natural objects is a unique and beautiful experience, and I like the ephemeral quality of the creations. Sit Spot is one of my favorite things to do in nature. I love returning to the same spot time and again, noticing the tiny details and subtle changes, and feeling a sense of awe in the presence of all that nature has provided.
I have always loved the Frances series by Russell Hoban. The detailed descriptions in the book are so powerful and never fail to transport and delight me!
How do you connect to the 4 P’s philosophy?
Your 4 P's align very closely with the educational philosophy of my school, Berkwood Hedge. My curriculum is primarily project-based, and we aim to incorporate nature, science, and community service learning in all we do.
What’s coming up?
I'm on maternity leave this year, so no new projects, but www.naturenatalie.com continues to operate, and I'm also moderating the Early Childhood EE group of the North American Association for Environmental Education (https://naaee.org/eepro/groups/early-childhood-ee). Both are great resources for learning and networking.
