Informational Texts in Nature-Based Classrooms
This episode of the Mindful Turtle Podcast originally aired January 12, 2025. To receive podcast updates and other nature-based early childhood education news, subscribe to Samara Early Learning’s weekly newsletter written by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore.
Listen to this episode of the Mindful Turtle now:
In this episode of the Mindful Turtle, Rachel invites nature-based educators to examine their classroom's informational texts, questioning whether they truly reflect the natural world, the local environment young children encounter daily, and authentic imagery... among other things!
This week’s invitation is to audit the informational texts in your classroom.
Quality informational texts do more than simply convey facts—they help children understand that books are gateways to knowledge about the world around them.
When building your collection, consider the following:
Content Selection: Are your texts focused on natural phenomena or on human-made constructs like vehicles and buildings?
Authentic Imagery: Are the images in your texts realistic and scientifically accurate?
Avoiding Stereotypes: Ensure that they represent a diverse array of species and ecosystems.
Local Relevance: Your texts should reflect the local flora and fauna children may encounter in their communities.
Diversity: Showcasing individuals of various races, genders, abilities, and ages in outdoor settings, help children envision themselves as part of the natural world.
Connecting Indoor and Outdoor Experiences: For example, situating a bird feeder by a window and pairing it with bird identification books transforms passive observation into an interactive learning experience.
Remember that children are observational learners. Even before they can read, they can engage with visual information, make comparisons, and form questions about what they see. By thoughtfully curating and placing informational texts throughout your learning spaces, you create opportunities for children to explore, wonder, and connect with the natural world.
