Play Lightly on the Earth

Jacqueline Horsfall

Inspire eco-awareness in young children with these imaginative hands-on activities. For example, run through a field in your socks--then examine all the seeds you collected! These games are science in the guise of play.

Nature Activities for Children 3 to 9 Years Old - Play Lightly on the Earth is packed with Jacqueline Horsfall's original activities, developed over years of experience as a nature educator. The games and activities are imaginative and fun. They are based on sound scientific concepts with emphasis on creative thinking, problem-solving, and skill developmentall in the guise of play. Similar to Joseph Cornell's Sharing Nature with Children, and endorsed by Cornell, this book is especially designed for use with younger children.

PLAY Paper $12.95 ISBN 1-883220-68-8

Ages 3 to 9 25 photographs numerous illustrations 8" x 9"

Play Lightly abounds with original games and activities to encourage children to experience and enjoy the natural world. They are based on sound scientific concepts with an emphasis on creative thinking, problem solving and skill development all in the guise of play! Throughout the high-energy activities and quiet-time visualization, the author's love for and understanding of both nature and children shines through. Her enthusiasm and insightful notes inspired me more a garden lounger than green-fingered botanist or bird-spotter to take the children into the garden and look at leaf symmetry and make Earth Pizza! The children are now cultivating their own patch of the garden and my son is building a wormery . . . Obviously the more access you have to different habitats such as woods and forests the better, but many of the activities can be done with great fun in the garden or in the local park. And take the age range with a pinch of salt because my 11-year-old son is thoroughly enjoying our nature adventures.

Natural Parent

This book is filled with simple but intriguing activities that will enhance children's creative thinking and problem-solving skills as they learn about the earth. Most activities can be done either by an individual child or a group, with adult guidance. The book is clearly laid out, with symbols indicating whether the tone is energetic, observational, or reflective. Materials are kept to a minimum and easily obtained. One exercies I'd like to try with my daughter is donning pairs of old, fuzzy socks and walking across a field, then sorting the seeds and other plant matter that sticks to them. Each chapter, whether about the garden, wildlife, or sky, ends with a guided imagery exercise.

NAPR ReView

Play Lightly On the Earth is packed with nature activities for children ages 3 to 9. Each activity is based on sound scientific concepts with an emphasis on creative thinking, problem-solving, and skills development -- all in the guise of play. From high-energy activites to quiet-time visualizations, nature educator Jacqueline Horsfall's upbeat approach helps establish teachable virtues among our young Earth citizens; empathy and caring for wildlife, respect and responsibility for the Earth, resourcefulness, self-reliance, and cooperation among species. Teachers, parents and caregivers can use these activities to create terrific memories for children that can last them a lifetime.

Children's Bookwatch

Jacqueline Horsfall's love of nature and children is reflected in the imaginative activities packed inside this book. These activities will "turn children on" to the outdoors while introducing them to sound scientific concepts by emphasizing creative thinking, problem-solving, and skill development. This book is especially designed for use with children ages 3 to 9.

ECO Institute - Earthworm (Winter 2001)