Miscellaneous

Every leaf, stone, and feather hold the potential to spark imagination and learning. Nature's Palette is a seasonal guide to open-ended art experiences that connect young children to the natural world while nurturing independence, creativity, and cognitive growth. Using Montessori principles and nature-based learning, author Janine Kloiber invites educators to rethink art time as an opportunity for discovery, reflection, and child-led expression. With clear guidance and developmentally rich ideas, each chapter introduces versatile techniques such as felting, marbling, stringing, and weaving using found and sustainable materials. Full of ideas for bringing more purpose and possibility to your art activities, this book.

Recent research has drawn the link between children's brain development and time spent in the natural environment. Every child deserves a safe play to play, supportive adults to watch him grow, and an environment that offers them endless possibilities. In "Seasons of Play," Rusty Keeler takes readers on a photographic journey through real child care centers that have embraced his philosophy that natural play environments create new opportunities for children to explore and grow. This book illustrates how to design natural play environments that encourage exploration and creativity in all seasons of the year. Keeler's own drawings complement the photos with renderings of how the play spaces were designed. Interviews with center directors add a personal touch to how the spaces improve learning at the centers. Paperback. 216 pages.