Thinking in the Midst On Place Based Education and Nature Based Education
Oct 7, 2025
David Sobel and Patty Bailey dive into the intriguing realms of place-based and nature-based education. David, a professor emeritus and author, shares how local experiences shape learning, backed by personal stories in geology. Patty, an early childhood education expert, emphasizes nurturing development through immersion in nature. They discuss the importance of practical steps for educators, balancing risk with growth, and integrating standards while ensuring meaningful connections to the environment. Their insights inspire a vision of education rooted in community and nature.
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Nature As A Developmental Vehicle
- Nature-based education uses the natural world as a vehicle to support children's development and conservation values.
- Patty Bailey locates nature-based work primarily in early childhood, emphasizing both development and environmental ethic.
Place-Based Education Expands Progressive Roots
- Place-based education grew from progressive education by adding ecological and community context.
- It expands the walls of the school into neighborhoods, ecosystems, and cultural life.
Fieldwork Sparked Lifelong Curiosity
- David recalled a ninth-grade geology class that used field trips tightly linked to content and shaped his lasting interest.
- In college he studied red-winged blackbird territories, realizing local environments can generate new knowledge.
