Sense of Wonder

Loose Parts Nature Play

Indiana Children and Nature Network

ICAN Play 30 and Seasonal Book Chat

Book Pick: The Sense of Wonder by Rachel Carson

“For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind. One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?” ― Rachel Carson

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” ― Rachel Carson

“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” ― Rachel Carson

“The years of early childhood are the time to prepare the soil. Once the emotions have been aroused - a sense of the beautiful, the excitement of the new and unknown, a feeling of sympathy, pity, admiration or love - then we wish for knowledge about the object of our emotional response. Once found, it has lasting meaning.” ― Rachel Carson

“Many children... delight in the small and inconspicuous.” ― Rachel Carson

“It is more important to pave the way for the child to want to know than to put him on a diet of facts he is not ready to assimilate.” ― Rachel Carson

“The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself under the influence of earth, sea, and sky and their amazing life.” ― Rachel Carson

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder … he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.” —Rachel Carson

Discussion Questions:

What is a sense of wonder?

How do we regain the sense of wonder in ourselves?

How do we share the sense of wonder with our children?

How can we share and rediscover the sense of joy and wonder with children?

What other resources help you with wonder?

What’s the difference between wonder and curiosity?

If you want to witness a natural display of a sense of wonder, just observe a child. A child’s whole world is viewed through the eyes of wonder and excitement. A child has no judgements of why things are so, but rather a child is in awe of life and views life through innocence, purity and curiosity. –Mary Paleologos

Join us!

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2023

8 PM – 9 PM, Eastern Time

Spring ICAN Play 30 and Balanced and Barefoot Book Chat

Book--Loose Parts Learning in K-3 Classrooms: https://www.gryphonhouse.com/books/details/loose-parts-learning-in-k-3-classrooms

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