Ep. 10: How Nature Inspires Curiosity and Transforms Learning with Mary Ann Bradberry

Our guest today, Mary Ann Bradberry, has a rich background in early childhood education. She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. As the former Executive Director of Texas Baptist Church Weekday Education Association, Editor in Chief in the Childhood Publishing department at LifeWay, and adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University, Mary Ann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to early childhood classrooms. Mary Ann Bradberry has spent hundreds of hours in nature with her granddaughter and has witnessed the depth of learning that occurs outside. After introducing a basket of sticks and leaves to a chaotic Sunday School classroom and witnessing the transformative impact it had on the children's learning, Mary Ann Bradberry quickly recognized nature's crucial role in every early childhood classroom.  During today's episode, Mary Ann discusses nature and its undeniable benefits for children. She shares simple ways to introduce natural elements into your classroom, and she explains how incorporating natural elements into your classroom can transform your children's learning.  We are so lucky to have Mary Ann Bradberry join ECCN as a keynote speaker at our state conferences this summer. For more information, visit our website HERE.  Mary Ann mentioned several books in this episode. Here are links to a couple of them:   Big Book of Bugs  Can You Hear The Trees Talking  Environmental design books by Sandra Duncan   As always, we would love to connect with you on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.