Nature as Teacher: Joseph Cornell’s Sharing Nature and Holistic Education

The Flow Learning Foundation

Joseph Cornell’s “Sharing Nature” revolutionized environmental education by moving beyond facts and information to create direct, experiential connections with the natural world. His Flow Learning model follows four stages:

1. Awaken Enthusiasm – Energetic activities that create excitement and readiness
2. Focus Attention – Calm, concentrated observation that deepens awareness
3. Direct Experience – Quiet, receptive encounters with nature’s subtle qualities
4. Share Inspiration – Expressing insights through art, movement, or storytelling

This progression mirrors the natural learning rhythm found in children and aligns beautifully with various wisdom traditions.

Enhancing Cognitive Flexibility Through Nature

Nature experiences naturally develop cognitive flexibility by:

Breaking Linear Thinking Patterns

• Observing seasonal cycles teaches non-linear time
• Weather patterns demonstrate constant change and adaptation
• Animal behavior shows multiple solutions to survival challenges

Encouraging Multiple Perspectives

• Studying ecosystems reveals interconnected relationships
• Tracking animals develops spatial and temporal thinking
• Cloud watching opens metaphorical and symbolic thinking

Developing Pattern Recognition

• Recognizing plant families and animal tracks
• Understanding natural rhythms and cycles
• Seeing fractals in ferns, rivers, and mountain ranges

Cultivating Empathy and Intuitive Intelligence

Cornell’s approach naturally develops empathy through:

Identifying with Nature

• Animal movement games build kinesthetic empathy
• Tree meditations develop patience and groundedness
• Bird language awareness heightens sensitivity to emotional states

Developing Intuitive Knowing

• Sit spots for quiet observation
• Tracking invisible trails and signs
• Sensing the “mood” of natural places

Heart-Centered Learning

• Gratitude practices in nature
• Ceremonies honoring seasonal changes
• Developing protective instincts for wild places

Connections to Educational Philosophies

Yogananda’s Education for Life

Paramhansa Yogananda’s educational vision emphasizes developing the whole person – body, mind, and soul. Nature education supports this through:

• Magnetism and Energy: Direct experience of life force in natural settings
• Intuitive Development: Quiet observation develops inner knowing
• Service and Love: Caring for nature develops selfless service
• Concentration: Nature’s beauty naturally draws and holds attention

Montessori’s Prepared Environment

Maria Montessori understood that children learn through direct interaction with their environment. Nature provides the ultimate prepared environment:

• Self-Correcting Materials: Natural consequences teach directly
• Mixed-Age Learning: Multi-species interactions model cooperation
• Freedom Within Structure: Natural laws provide clear boundaries
• Cosmic Education: Understanding humanity’s place in the universe

Waldorf/Steiner Education

Rudolf Steiner’s approach recognizes different developmental stages that nature experiences can support:

• Early Childhood (0-7): Imaginative play in natural settings
• Elementary (7-14): Artistic and feeling-based nature study
• High School (14-21): Scientific thinking applied to ecological understanding

Jung’s Depth Psychology

Carl Jung emphasized the importance of connecting with the unconscious and archetypal patterns found abundantly in nature:

• Shadow Work: Facing fears in wild places
• Anima/Animus: Connecting with nature’s masculine and feminine aspects
• Individuation: Finding one’s unique place in the web of life

Ancient Wisdom and Mystery Schools

Traditional mystery schools understood nature as the first teacher:

Greek Mysteries

• Eleusinian rites celebrated seasonal cycles
• Sacred groves provided initiation settings
• Plant teachers offered direct gnosis

Celtic Druids

• Tree wisdom and forest sanctuaries
• Animal spirit guides and totems
• Seasonal celebrations marking natural rhythms

Indigenous Traditions

• Vision quests in natural settings
• Plant and animal spirit teachers
• Earth-based ceremonies and rituals

Eastern Practices

• Forest meditation traditions
• Mountain retreats for spiritual practice
• River and ocean purification ceremonies

Trauma Healing Through Nature

Nature provides a naturally therapeutic environment for healing:

Nervous System Regulation

• Natural sounds and rhythms calm the nervous system
• Fresh air and negative ions improve mood
• Grounding practices reduce anxiety and hypervigilance

Somatic Healing

• Movement in nature releases stored trauma
• Breathing exercises in fresh air restore natural rhythms
• Touch with natural materials provides safe tactile experiences

Symbolic Processing

• Natural metaphors help process difficult experiences
• Seasonal cycles model death and rebirth
• Weather patterns reflect emotional states

Community and Connection

• Group nature experiences rebuild social trust
• Caring for plants and animals develops nurturing capacity
• Shared wonder and beauty create positive memories

Practical Applications

For Educators

Daily Practices

• Start classes with brief nature observations
• Use natural materials for art and science projects
• Take learning outdoors whenever possible
• Create classroom gardens or nature corners

Seasonal Celebrations

• Mark equinoxes and solstices
• Study local seasonal changes
• Create nature-based festivals and ceremonies
• Connect academic subjects to seasonal themes

For Parents

Home Environment

• Create nature tables with seasonal items
• Establish daily outdoor time regardless of weather
• Limit screen time to increase nature sensitivity
• Model wonder and curiosity about natural phenomena

Family Practices

• Regular nature walks and exploration
• Backyard camping and star gazing
• Gardening and food growing projects
• Weather watching and prediction games

For Therapists and Healers

Therapeutic Approaches

• Walking therapy in natural settings
• Nature-based art and expressive therapy
• Mindfulness practices using natural anchors
• Seasonal attunement for emotional regulation

Group Work

• Nature-based team building
• Wilderness therapy programs
• Eco-therapy circles
• Community gardening projects

Creating Your Own Nature Education Program

Assessment and Preparation

Know Your Learners

• Assess current nature connection levels
• Identify individual interests and fears
• Consider cultural backgrounds and experiences
• Adapt activities for different learning styles

Prepare Your Environment

• Scout safe, accessible natural areas
• Gather simple, natural materials
• Create weather-appropriate clothing systems
• Establish safety protocols and boundaries

Progressive Skill Development

Beginning Level

• Sensory awareness games
• Basic animal tracking
• Simple plant identification
• Weather observation

Intermediate Level

• Bird language and behavior
• Seasonal tracking projects
• Natural camouflage and hiding
• Fire and shelter building

Advanced Level

• Ecological relationship mapping
• Traditional skills and crafts
• Wilderness survival techniques
• Nature mentoring and teaching

Integration with Academic Subjects

Science

• Hands-on ecosystem studies
• Weather and climate observation
• Physics through natural phenomena
• Chemistry in soil and water studies

Language Arts

• Nature journaling and storytelling
• Poetry inspired by natural observation
• Reading nature-based literature
• Developing nature vocabulary

Mathematics

• Geometric patterns in nature
• Measuring and graphing natural phenomena
• Statistics from animal tracking
• Fibonacci sequences in plants

Social Studies

• Indigenous peoples and land relationships
• Environmental history and changes
• Cultural connections to local ecosystems
• Global environmental challenges

The Ripple Effect

When we educate through nature, we create individuals who are:

• More creative and flexible thinkers
• Naturally empathetic and caring
• Intuitively connected to wisdom
• Emotionally resilient and grounded
• Environmentally conscious and protective

These qualities naturally spread through families, schools, and communities, creating a more harmonious and sustainable world.

Resources for Further Exploration

Books

• “Sharing Nature with Children” by Joseph Cornell
• “The Sense of Wonder” by Rachel Carson
• “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv
• “The Nature Principle” by Richard Louv

Organizations

• Sharing Nature Foundation
• Children & Nature Network
• National Wildlife Federation
• Local nature centers and environmental education programs

Training Opportunities

• Certified Sharing Nature Trainer programs
• Wilderness therapy certification
• Forest school educator training
• Nature-based therapy programs

Remember: The goal isn’t to become a nature expert overnight, but to begin a lifelong journey of learning with and from the natural world. Start small, stay curious, and trust that nature will teach you what you need to know.