A highlight of my USA/Canada tour was visiting the Monadnock region of New Hampshire, where I had the opportunity to meet one of my greatest professional inspirations, David Sobel, alongside his equally insightful wife, Jennifer Kramer. David’s work has been foundational to the development of Educated by Nature. His writings on nature, childhood, and education, introduced to us by our mentor Gillian McAuliffe, have informed not only our programs but our perspective on connecting children with nature through play and exploration.
David’s book, Childhood and Nature: Design Principles for Educators, introduces the “7 Design Principles” that resonate across cultures and demographics, shaping the way we develop our programs. These principles — Special Places, Adventure, Fantasy, Small Worlds, Hunting and Gathering, Animal Allies, and Maps and Paths — are essential tools for any educator wanting to bring the magic of nature into the curriculum. During our discussions, we even delved into how these principles continue to evolve, sharing our experiences with “the eighth motif” — fire — and its role in fostering community and confidence among children.
Over the course of a few days, our conversations spanned a rich array of topics: the state of education, the influence of place-based learning, and the importance of balancing structure with unstructured play in natural environments. David and I share a mutual commitment to bringing children into nature through hands-on experiences. Jennifer, with her experience as an elementary school teacher, offered unique perspectives that mirrored our own journey at Bold Park, and now through Educated by Nature’s outreach in Australia. The similarities between Jennifer’s teaching experiences and our work reminded me how universal these educational philosophies are, regardless of geography.
Over the course of a few days, our conversations spanned a rich array of topics: the state of education, the influence of place-based learning, and the importance of balancing structure with unstructured play in natural environments. David and I share a mutual commitment to bringing children into nature through hands-on experiences. Jennifer, with her experience as an elementary school teacher, offered unique perspectives that mirrored our own journey at Bold Park, and now through Educated by Nature’s outreach in Australia. The similarities between Jennifer’s teaching experiences and our work reminded me how universal these educational philosophies are, regardless of geography.
One of the most magical aspects of this visit was wandering through the spaces that David writes about so vividly in his book Wild Play. Seeing the landscapes firsthand — places that have nurtured David, his family, and countless others — brought an even deeper understanding of his life’s work. The woods, ponds, and trails he describes with such care and reverence are more than just backdrops; they are active, guiding forces in his narrative of connection and discovery.
In Wild Play, David shares, “Place and story are deeply intertwined; when we love a place, it begins to tell us its secrets.” Walking through these woods, I could feel the depth of this connection, as David shared stories of raising his own children to embrace both the beauty and challenge of the wild. He spoke about the value of these landscapes as places of unstructured play, where children can explore at their own pace, foster resilience, and develop a relationship with nature that is as instinctive as it is profound.
These spaces are woven into his family’s story and are imbued with memories of risk, wonder, and learning that have become integral to his philosophy. Standing by the pond, I could almost picture the scenes he describes, like his children playing in the mud or spotting a hawk in flight. He writes, “I wanted my children to know what it felt like to be part of something bigger, something ancient.” Listening to him recount these moments in person was a gift, a reminder of the irreplaceable role that a natural environment plays in the lives of those who grow up immersed in its rhythms.
One memorable part of my visit was heading to the nearby pond, where David and I shared a paddle (he even braved a swim!). Later, he gave me a lesson in wood stacking — earning me a high score for my efforts — as we prepared his woodpile for the winter months. These simple moments were a reminder of how deeply connected he is to the landscape he calls home and how this environment shapes his work.
Our conversations also touched on David’s recent research, which explores the question of how much nature exposure is needed to impact children’s development. In a paper co-authored with Julie Ernst and Hannah Juckett, Some Nature May Be Better Than None, David discusses the impact of “blended” versus “full” nature-based education on resilience. Interestingly, the study showed that even partial integration of nature-based practices in preschool programs enhanced resilience-related traits, such as self-regulation and social-emotional skills, suggesting that some nature is indeed better than none. This resonates with our approach at Educated by Nature, where we aim to provide nature connection opportunities across varying intensities — from after-school programs to immersive school holiday camps — always seeking to instill “euphoric moments” of discovery and self-connection.
This sentiment is echoed beautifully in David’s own words: “If we can provide children with safe, unstructured nature play — at home, in recreation programs, at summer camps, in after-school programs — then we increase the likelihood of such euphoric moments, which create a repository of inner hopefulness and optimism.” This guiding philosophy inspires us to offer children moments of wonder, from the thrill of climbing a tree to witnessing dolphins on the river.
There are people in this world who transcend simple inspiration; they become beacons, advocates, and champions for the movement they help to shape. David and Jennifer are exactly this for our nature connection work. I am immensely grateful to have shared these conversations, these stories, and these quiet moments of reflection with them. We even managed to record an episode of Campfire Conversations!!!
In a world where “nature deficit” is a growing concern, David’s and Jennifer’s work continues to light the way, reminding us that even “a little nature” can have profound impacts on resilience and executive function, helping children grow into connected, confident adults.
Campfire Conversations
You can hear Daniel and David Sobel talking in the latest episode of Campfire Conversations, our video podcast. Campfire Conversations is a series of interviews with inspiring experts, discussing all things nature-based education!
Campfire Conversations – Ep# 30 – David Sobel
David Sobel’s 7 Design Principles Webinar
Interested in learning even more about David Sobel’s work? Daniel and Trudi delivered a webinar series on his 7 Design Principles in 2020. You can watch them for free on Nature Play WA’s website.