Evaluating Natureness – Nature-Based Classroom Assessment Book

What makes an early childhood program truly nature-based? Evaluating Natureness gives educators and program leaders a practical framework for looking closely at how nature is integrated into children's learning experiences, environments, and everyday routines.

Created for early childhood professionals working in nature-based education, this resource helps educators move beyond simply spending time outdoors and examine the qualities that shape meaningful nature-based practice. It provides a structured way to evaluate a program's current approach, recognize areas of strength, and identify opportunities for continued growth.

For nature preschools, outdoor classrooms, early childhood centers, and educators working to deepen children's connection with the natural world, Evaluating Natureness offers a useful tool for reflection, professional learning, and program development.

Why Educators Love It

• Designed for nature-based education: Focuses specifically on evaluating nature-based classrooms and early childhood programs.
• Supports reflective practice: Helps educators take a closer look at how nature is incorporated into their teaching environments and experiences.
• Useful for program development: Provides a framework for identifying existing strengths and opportunities for growth.
• Built for professional learning: A relevant resource for teachers, directors, administrators, and teams developing nature-based programs.
• Connects philosophy with practice: Helps educators consider what meaningful nature-based education looks like in everyday programming.

Built for Real Outdoor Learning

Nature-based education is more than moving a traditional classroom outside. It grows through the spaces children explore, the materials they encounter, the freedom they have to investigate, and the ways educators intentionally weave the natural world into everyday learning.

Evaluating Natureness gives educators a way to examine those elements together. Whether you are developing a new nature preschool, strengthening an established outdoor classroom, or helping a teaching team reflect on current practices, this resource can support thoughtful conversations about what nature-based learning looks like in action.

Things to Know

• Professional resource: Written for educators and professionals interested in evaluating and developing nature-based early childhood programs.
• Evaluation focused: Designed to support assessment and reflection around nature-based classroom practices.
• Useful across programs: Relevant to nature-based classrooms, outdoor learning environments, and early childhood programs incorporating nature into their educational approach.
• Professional development: Can support individual educator reflection as well as broader conversations about nature-based practice within teaching teams and programs.

Product Details

• Title: Evaluating Natureness
• Topic: Nature-based early childhood education
• Resource type: Professional education and program evaluation resource
• Focus: Measuring and evaluating nature-based classrooms and programs
• Recommended for: Early childhood educators, nature-based teachers, outdoor educators, program directors, administrators, and professional development
• ISBN: 9780876598498

Why ODSS Recommends It

ODSS recommends Evaluating Natureness for early childhood educators, nature preschool teachers, outdoor classroom leaders, and program directors looking for a structured resource for evaluating nature-based education. Focused on measuring nature-based classrooms and educational practices, this professional resource supports program evaluation, educator reflection, outdoor classroom development, and nature-based early childhood professional learning. It is particularly relevant for nature preschools, forest and outdoor learning programs, early childhood centers developing nature-based practices, and educators working to create meaningful connections between children, learning, and the natural world.