If you are interested in becoming a NINPA member please email [email protected]. NINPA Pledge:
As a member of the NINPA organization, I will -
*Be an active member of the NINPA community through participation in member meetings, webinars and/or social media conversations and polls.
*Continually advance my nature pedagogy through research, observation and participation in a variety of activities
such as webinars, conferences and symposiums that involve best practices in nature-based early childhood education.
*Support and encourage fellow educators through dialogue, collaboration and the sharing of resources and ideas.
*Creatively find ways to ensure that nature-based learning is available to all children though accessible spaces, tools, materials, representation for all children.
*Promote the field of nature-based learning in early childhood education through family engagement and community involvement. In my practice I will strive to -
*Nurture social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of children through quality experiences with nature.
*Create a welcoming, safe and supportive environment by acting with and teaching empathy, respect, and fairness for the natural world and all of its people while also exploring and intentionally discussing differences.
*Develop a respect of and an appreciation for the diversity of the natural world and all inhabitants.
*Cultivate children’s love of learning and sense of wonder in an outdoor environment.
*Foster curiosity, and encourage discovery in the natural world, through hands-on activities, investigation, experimentation and play outdoors.
*Stimulate divergent thinking, reflection and curiosity about the natural world, by asking open-ended questions, wondering aloud with children, and listening to children's questions and ideas about nature.
*Expand children’s social skills through collaboration, outdoor play and exploration.
*Strengthen children’s self-confidence by encouraging appropriate risk taking in an outdoor environment.
*Enrich children’s insights and ideas by providing a variety of nature-rich resources that contribute to their understanding of the world around them.
