How Green is Your School?

06/14/2007

The first act of awe, when man was struck with the beauty or wonder of Nature, was the first spiritual experience.
Henryk Skolimowski

The World Forum project, the Nature Action Collaborative for Children, is working to reconnect children around the world with nature. We believe that in this age of computer games, television, the Internet, and consumerism gone wild, that children have lost touch with nature. Our goal is to reverse this trend by getting early childhood programs to build nature into their curriculums and to think more environmentally about the decisions they make.

On a recent flight, I ran across an article, "Growing Green Schools," in United's Hemispheres Magazine (May 2007). Here are some interesting excerpts from that article...

"Studies by the Heshong Mahone Group found that students who had classrooms with natural light, superior indoor air quality, and outdoor views, had 10 percent to 21 percent higher learning rates and test scores compared with students in classrooms with minimal natural daylight and outdoor views. "
"Traditional building materials can release gases linked to headaches, colds, asthma, and weakened immune systems. Green, sustainable schools ... are constructed with alternative materials such as low- and zero-volatile organic compound paints, cabinetry made from wheat (rather than formaldahyde-laced particle board), and natural linoleum flooring made from jute and linseed oil (rather than dioxin-packed vinyl)."
"... green schools have lower overhead costs. A 2006 study by Capital E found that, on average, green schools use 33 percent less energy and 32 percent less water than standard schools. Best of all, green doesn't require a huge investment: sustainable schools have been built on standard school budgets."

Is your program taking steps to become more green? Please share what you are doing to promote environmentally wise choices by scrolling down and clicking on "Comment on this article."

Exchange Resource on Nature Education

Exchange's newest resource, the Learning with Nature Idea Book, provides a wealth of ideas on how to start reconnecting the children in your program with the natural world. The book, which was prepared by Nancy and John Rosenow, two of the leaders in the Nature Action Collaborative for Children, is available for review and purchase on our website.

The Institute for Early Childhood Leadership & Professional Development has an advanced degree (M.Ed.) for you if you aspire to become an Administrative Leader!

Johnson & Wales University, School of Education

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.