Nature, Spirituality, and Early Childhood Education

This theoretically well-grounded and thoughtfully written book is divided into six short chapters, beginning with a preamble. Ruth Wills was inspired by her class of four- and five-year-old children in a primary school in England. From observing them at play in nature, it became apparent to her that the hallmarks of what the author understands as spirituality are present within children’s actions, responses and behaviours. In other words, spirituality is convincingly presented as innate. Nevertheless, spirituality is about meaningful connections with the self, others and environment that facilitate an exploration of who children are in relation to the world. (p.1) It is also about inspiring a sense of wonder and awe, and may enable transcendence beyond the immediate. Wills passionately suggests that children’s spirituality can lead them to responsible and transformative actions for themselves and wider communities. The author provides seven well-chosen vignettes: imagination, presence, creativity, wonder, individuality and connectedness, corporal experience and care, from ‘The Lodge’, to illustrate how learning in nature-based settings nurtures spiritual awareness. The book successfully targets readers, practitioners, students, academics and policymakers.