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Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧
Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning.
Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration.
Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you!
🌎 Featuring:
- Innovative STEM/STEAM experiences
- Diverse children's book recommendations
- Strategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through play
- Voices from around the globe that inspire the WOW
🧠 Perfect for:
Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions
🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures
📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog
💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com
👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!
Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
Forest Magic: Inspiring Kids to Connect with Nature Through Play and Imagination
What if stories and play were the bridge between children (and their grown ups) and nature? Join us as we explore this concept with Susie Spikol, a naturalist and educator whose enchanting book, Forest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort, and Cook Up an Elfin Picnic, serves as a portal to the wonders of the natural world. Susie shares her journey from being a Brooklyn secret fort naturalist inspired by childhood tales like Winnie the Pooh and The Hobbit to her life's work as a naturalist and storyteller in New Hampshire.
Discover how storytelling can transform outdoor adventures into magical experiences, sparking curiosity and a love for nature among kids and their grownups -- whether at home or in the classroom. We'll even share a few personal tales of fairy houses and secret forts that have left a lasting mark on our hearts.
We delve into the whimsical activities outlined in Susie's book, each designed to ignite children's creativity and connection to the environment. From crown making to potion crafting, these projects encourage imaginative play and environmental stewardship. Susie also highlights her work at the Harris Center for Conservation Education, where she nurtures a sense of wonder in both kids and adults.
Links:
- Susie's Webpage
- Order: Forest Magic for Kids and The Animal Adventurer's Guide
- Preorder: The Book of Fairies
- Connect on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Nature Resources for Early Childhood
- The Healing Power of Nature and STEAM
Chapters:
- 01:37:Forest Magic for Kids
- 03:26:Where stories, imagination, and nature collide
- 07:33:Permission to Play
- 13:14:Loose Parts Play
- 14:43:Deep diving into Forest Magic for Kids
- 17:34:Promo
- 18:34:What is a naturalist?
- 23:34:Slowing down to connect -- no global crisis needed
- 27:27:The Book of Fairies
- 28:32:Bringing nature to the classroom
Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.
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