Reconnecting Children to

Nature

Climate Stewardship Summit

November 2016

© 2016 Sharon Ely Pearson

“If a child is to keep alive his [sic] inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”

Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder

Breaking the Indoor Habit

•  Children ages 3-12 spend 27% of their time each day watching television; 1% outdoors

•  Ages 8-18 engage over 7 hours of media time per day

•  17% age 2-19 were obese in 2008

•  In 2000, 2/3 of the public failed a basic environmental quiz and 88% failed a basic energy quiz

Imago Dei Middle School

Benefits of Environmental Education � Enthusiastic

students & innovative teachers

� Critical thinking & relationship skills

� Foster leadership qualities

� Self control & self discipline

�  Increased focus & improved cognition

� Health benefits

Religious Connections

Tree of Life Water

Water Exploration � Water Life Cycle � Drinking water � Water usage log � Where does the

drain go?

Agricultural & Animal Initiatives � “Frame” nature � Scavenger hunts � Gardening � Bird feeders � Pet blessings � Art projects

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle � Waste Free

Lunches � Water bottles � Recycling bins

� The Lorax �  In Our Image � A Prayer for the

Earth: The Story of Naamah, Noah’s Wife

� Old Turtle

http://childrensbooksguide.com/nature www.childrenoftheearth.org

Children’s Literature

We

bsite

s � Project Learning Tree

https://www.plt.org

� Abundant Life Garden Project www.episcopalrelief.org/church-in-action/christian-formation

� Waste Free Lunches www.wastefreelunches.org

� Earth Ministry http://earthministry.org/for-children-and-youth

� Blessed Earthwww.blessedearth.org/resources/for-children/

� Web of Creation www.webofcreation.org/GreenClass/youth%20and%20creation.htm

Programs & Resources � Abundant Life Garden Project � Faith & Nature � To Serve and Guard the Earth � A Life of Grace for the Whole World � Sustainable Faith: On Being with Krista Tippet

www.churchpublishing.org spearson@cpg.org

spearson@cpg.org

www.churchpublishing.org

See my works, how fine and excellent they are! Now all that I have created, for you have I created. Think upon this and do not corrupt and desolate my World, For if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you. Midrash from Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:28