Heartbeat of the Earth A Handbook on Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings

Nature is a place to both play and learn. The physical self is moving and active, the mental self is thinking and questioning, the emotional self is feeling and experiencing, and the spiritual self is connecting and thankful. We see what we have been taught to see. We love and respect our natural surroundings when we see ourselves as belonging to that community. This resource leads readers on a rich learning journey as they deepen their connections to nature and culture. The activities inside instill traditional teachings of respect, honour, resourcefulness, and humility in children. This handbook is intended to inspire parents, caregivers, and educators to provide children with meaningful outdoor experiences interwoven with traditional indigenous knowledge.

Launa Purcell is a member of the Xa'xtsa First Nation and a mother of two. Launa works as an Indigenous Educator and teaches Indigenous outdoor camps, as well as children's yoga. She lives in Salmon Arm, B.C.