The Book of Nature Connection: 70 Sensory Activities for All Ages

by Jacob Rodenburg

Overview

Unplug from technology and "plug in" to nature through the wonder of your senses.

The Book of Nature Connection is packed with fun activities for using all our senses to engage with nature in a deep and nourishing way.

From "extenda-ears" and acorn whistles to bird calls, camouflage games, and scent scavenger hunts, enjoy over 70 diverse, engaging, sensory activities for all ages that promote mindfulness and nature connection.

With activities grouped by the main senses – hearing, sight, smell, touch, and taste – plus sensory walks and group games, The Book of Nature Connection is both a powerful learning tool kit and the cure for sensory anesthesia brought on by screen time and lives lived indoors.

Whisper in birds, be dazzled by nature's kaleidoscope of colors, taste the freshness of each season, learn to savor the scented world of evergreens, hug a tree and feel the bark against your cheek. Spending time in nature with all senses tuned and primed helps us feel like we belong to the natural world – and in belonging, we come to feel more connected, nourished, and alive.

Ideal for educators, camp and youth leaders, caregivers and parents, and anyone looking to reconnect and become a nature sommelier!

AWARDS

• GOLD | 2023 Nautilus Book Awards | Special Honors: Educational Guidebooks
• SILVER | 2023 IPPY Awards: Nature
• SILVER | 35th IBPA Benjamin Franklin Book Awards: Nature & Environment

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865719712
Publisher:	New Society Publishers
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	764,834
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.35(d)

About the Author

Jacob Rodenburg, nature sommelier, is an award-winning educator who believes in the importance of connecting children to nature. He is the executive director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor education center, and an instructor in environmental education at Trent University. An educator of three decades, Jacob has published articles on children, nature, and the environment; has taught more than 100,000 students; and is co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities. He lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Our Senses
Steve Van Matre
Mindfulness and Nature

Natural Sounds
Sound Catchers
Learning from Bats
Listening to Other Animals and Trees
Stalking Games
Nature Music

Seeing Nature
Our Visual System
Seasonal Colors
Camouflaged Animals/Countershading
Camouflaged Eggs
Nature Sculpting
Shapes in Nature
Seasonal Sight Activities

The World of Smell
Our Olfactory System
Aromatherapy
Phermonia
Seasonal Smell Activities

The World of Touch
Our Somatosensory System
Blindfold Activities
Connecting to Earth
Connecting to Trees
Other Touch Activities

Tasting the World
The Edible Wild
Tastes of the Season

Gratitude for Nature

Sensory Walks
Forest Walks
City Park Walks
Backyard/Confined Spaces Activities

Other Senses
Sense of Direction
Synesthesia

Index of Activities
Index
About the Author
About the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

"Jacob Rodenburg's wealth of knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for nature make this a great resource for anyone wishing to stimulate children's connections with the natural world. The activities and games in the book are easy to replicate and it will be a boon to educators."
— Paul Elliott, professor, Trent School of Education, co-chair, Environmental and Sustainability Education in Teacher Education

"What an incredibly handy and useful book! "
— David Sobel, environmental education leader, author, Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education

"This is a wonderful resource for those who love to wander and learn from nature and for those who are novices at exploring the natural world! Jacob has revisioned some tried and true immersion experiences with a new twist. Flip to any page, read, and go outside for a new and refreshing way to experience wonder."
— Jennifer Seydel, executive director, Green Schools National Network

"Jacob Rodenburg has crafted a must-read guide full of important information on how to reconnect with nature through practicing mindfulness and sensory activities. This is a great choice for anyone looking to unplug from our hectic, technology-dominated lives and be immersed in nature to reap the benefits!"
— Aly Hyder Ali, urban nature organizer, Nature Canada

"This beautiful compendium of nature activities is an essential bedside and backpack read for all educators—not just us nature nuts. Whether seeking future inspiration, or something to engage the group arriving in 15 minutes(!), this book provides an opportunity to grab and go or a deep dive. The best antidote to sensory anesthesia is to spend a day exploring your "neighbourwood" with Jacob. The second best is to explore his low-prop, high-impact activities, well-bundled to engage all the senses, including your sense of wonder!"
— Karen O'Krafka, president, Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario

From the Publisher

06/03/2022

Gr 3 Up—This is an entertaining, creative, inspiring introduction to the senses for the purpose of understanding them and expanding their usefulness in the lives of children and adults. It leads a parent, friend, or teacher into the world of sound, sight, smell, touch, and taste. Rodenburg suggests many ways to make this exploration fun—trips to the forest for walks to hear, smell, see, and feel the world—emphasizing that it is important to get away from technology and use the senses to expand one's universe in a delightful way. Suggestions for organized extended trips are the focus, with many memorable activities along the way. Some of the text is straight to the adult reader. For example, they are told that beer and a glass of wine makes for a relaxed time amongst friends, not a constructive or legal suggestion for children. The author provides recipes using plants found in the wild that adults could help children make, and includes prayers of thankfulness for nature that are thoughtful. Because this title is an eye, ear, nose, and skin adventure extraordinaire, it is hopeful that the author will remove the instruction to cut out photos from the book. Without that Rodenburg's adventure unfortunately has no place in a library, public or school, that serves children. After matter consists of an index (not seen). VERDICT Despite its wonder, the instructions to cut out pages makes this ineligible for children's library collections.—Nancy Call

School Library Journal