Chippewa Nature Center's preschool the focus on new book

In just five years since its first day of operations, Chippewa Nature Center's Nature Preschool has gained a significant amount of attention.

Ranging from families who want their children to attend the center to other childhood professionals across the state, Chippewa Nature Center's Nature Preschool has been the topic of discussion. Now, thanks to the center's director of education, Rachel Larimore, the preschool is now the topic of a book, Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool.

The book highlights the successes of Nature Preschool and provides a how-to guide for nature centers looking to establish a licensed nature-based preschool in their own community.

"Nature Preschool has changed the lives of many children and families, not only in Midland, but throughout the region," says Larimore, who has been with the center since 2001. "My hope is that this book will make it easier for other nature centers to have the same kind of positive impact in their own communities."

Nature-based preschools fuse early childhood with environmental education to develop a child’s lifelong connection to the natural world through developmentally appropriate activities. Since CNC began its preschool program in 2007, the number of nature-based preschools throughout the country has grown from twelve to more than 20.

Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool is published by the National Association for Interpretation, the professional association of more than 5,000 cultural and natural history interpreters including naturalists, park rangers, museum curators and the like.

The book is available in paperback or as an e-book.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Rachel Larimore, Chippewa Nature Center