Gruffalo trails encourage children to learn from nature

Katrina Podlewska, from the Forestry Commission, and Dani Andres, from Spirit Public Relations, explore children’s forest adventures with the Gruffalo. Ask primary children about the Gruffalo and the chances are most will be able to describe the character created by Julia Donaldson in the books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. So…

The Nature and Wellbeing Act

  Does the UK need a Nature and Wellbeing Act of Parliament?  The Wildlife Trusts think we do. The legislation is designed to bring about the recovery of nature in a generation, for the benefit of people and wildlife.  The proposals have been drafted by The Wildlife Trusts and the RSPB and are supported by more than 20…

Have you got a sustainability story?

What has inspired you to care about sustainability?  Why is sustainability important to you?  What are your hopes (and maybe fears) for the future? The South West Learning for Sustainability Coalition is collecting sustainability stories with the hope of inspiring and shaping change.  The Coalition has a stall at the Sustainable Schools Conference in Bristol on 2nd July, so…

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE USE 24 June 2015

New NAEE guide highlights ‘environment’ in the school curriculum How can teachers respond to the challenge of teaching about pollution, endangered species, deforestation, climate change, and other environmental issues? The National Association for Environmental Education (NAEE UK) has looked carefully at the numerous opportunities that the new early years and primary curriculums provide, for teachers and children in early years settings and primary schools, to…

The Giant Acorn Project

  The Giant Recycled Acorn project aims to raise awareness of recycling through a creative artwork which raises money for the Acorn Children’s Hospices.  This is a competition for community groups and schools, and teachers are encouraged to enter their students’ work – both primary and secondary. Participants should create an Acorn picture in any size or medium.  These can be painted,…

A new UNESCO report promotes GCE

UNESCO’s report on delivering global citizenship education, Global Citizenship Education: Topics and Learning Objectives, is aimed at anyone who wants to promote the idea of global learning.  The report sets out a series of nine topics to explore GCE in the classroom.  It identifies learning objectives and themes for teachers to explore with students, and for policy makers to incorporate into the curriculum…

Outdoor Learning Training

Building skills and confidence in using school grounds Sam Goddard, Forest School Leader, and Chair of Herefordshire Forest School Group, explains why outdoor play and learning is crucial to children’s healthy development, both physically, mentally and emotionally. In his acclaimed book ‘Last Child In The Woods’, Richard Louv says that many of our children are suffering from ‘nature deficit disorder’.…

The Early Education Journal

The British Association for Early Childhood Education is a national charity supporting early years practitioners with training, resources and professional networks, and campaigning for quality education for the youngest children.  The Association believes every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A child’s experience in the early years has…