Educator Seminar: "Nature Play & Aesthetics: Harmony & Reciprocity in Action"

Hosted by Marisa Chin-Calubaquib and Heather Pinedo-Burns. Marisa Chin-Calubaquib is a teacher at Bing Nursery School and Heather Pinedo-Burns is the head of the lower school at Speyer Legacy School.

Children are intrinsically captivated by nature and the play and aesthetics that accompany it. This session highlights the connection between nature and aesthetics, in addition to affirming their value and possibilities for young children. Experiences in nature foster children’s holistic development—socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, spiritually, and creatively in a myriad of ways. Rachel Carson wrote, “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” How then can educators cultivate and fortify children’s inherent wonder and affinity towards nature into a lasting relationship and mindset that will carry with and sustain them? Through examples, interactive activities, and discussion; participants will gain new perspectives of their own natural spaces and community, consider how their own unique contexts support and challenge nature play, as well as access ideas and activities that emphasize natural aesthetics.

This event will be hosted via Zoom. A zoom link will be made available to attendees in the days before the event. For confidentiality reasons, there will not be a recording of the session made available after the event. Please plan on attending live. Refunds offered for extraneous circumstances only. Please contact bingschool [at] stanford.edu (bingschool[at]stanford[dot]edu) to inquire. No refunds will be granted for missed event. Certificate of attendance and handout provided with session.