Children have a right to their relationship with the outdoors

The Colorado Collective for Nature-Based Early Education (CCNBEE) has a passion for supporting the equity and expansion of nature-based education in Colorado. Nature-based education offers children many social, emotional and educational benefits. Nature-based education can come in may forms: from caregivers looking to expand their children's outdoor time, to incorporating more outdoor play in traditional daycare programs, or even enrollment in fully outdoor programs, like Outdoor Nature Preschools (ONB) and Forest Schools.

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What Is Nature-Based Education?

Learning with nature has always been a part of childhood. Through the exploration of the natural environment, children learn to observe, problem solve, and become stewards of the Earth. Through outdoor play children also develop physical, cognitive, and social skills. Outdoor education offers a unique environment to refine skills that are often difficult to teach in a traditional classroom setting.

Nature-based education can be implemented by a variety of programs. These programs may be Forest Preschools/ONBs, nature centers, day care facilities, public schools, homes, parks, or a number other settings.

The Colorado Collective for Nature-Based Early Education wants to ensure all kids have access to programs that provide quality nature-based education.

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Characteristics of Nature-Based Education

Promotes child development and environmental literacy
Use nature as the central learning theme
Spend a significant portion of the instructional time outdoors
Employs a child-led, play-based approach based on children's interest
Recognizes the benefits of children's healthy appropriate risk taking

(Source: Natural Start Alliance)

Nature-Based Education
for all

"A nature-based early childhood education program takes an immersive approach, putting nature at the heart of the program. In a nature-based early education program, nature is a setting for the program and an object of study. In addition, the care and protection of nature and the environment are regarded as a key outcome of the program, along with healthy child development. Some describe these nature-based early education programs as learning in nature, about nature, and for nature."

- Natural Start Alliance

Take Action

ONB Preschools and connection to natural cycles with sunrises and sunsets

We are excited to develop trainings that meet the needs of diverse program types across the state. Stay tuned for free, and low cost, trainings for parents and providers!

Support

Equity, diversity and inclusion are at the center of all CCNBEE activities and programs

We support all programs that implement nature-based education -from forest preschools, to family home providers, childcare centers and beyond. We are working towards pathways which will serve the needs of all our communities best.