Nature Expert David Sobel Visited Community Seedlings Preschool

Nature expert David Sobel, a trailblazing environmental educator and author, recently toured Community Seedlings Preschool, a dedicated Reggio Emilio-inspired preschool in Capistrano Beach.

Sobel is a professor emeritus in the Education Department at Antioch University New England who consults and speaks widely on child development and place-based education with schools, environmental organizations, and the National Park Service. In the last 30 years, he has authored 10 books, and more than 90 articles focused on children and nature for educators, parents, environmentalists, and school administrators.

In accordance with the acclaimed Reggio Emilia philosophy of teaching, learning and advocacy for children that originated in Northern Italy, the educators at Community Seedlings Preschool have created a learning environment where young children can grow based upon their natural curiosity and innate ability to learn from their experiences.

Sobel met with staff and viewed the preschool’s multiple specialized classrooms and its more than one-third acre of stimulating outdoor classroom space that accommodates its nature-based program deeply rooted in outdoor education.

The day before the tour, Sobel visited Community Roots Academy, which is affiliated with the preschool, to discuss the importance of connecting with nature, knowing that today’s pervasive nature deficit is harmful to children. As the natural connection humans have had for millennia erodes because of factors like modern technology, children face real physical and emotional peril.

Ultimately, the loss of their connection to the natural world can be socially isolating children, making them more depressed, less physically active, and less healthy. How can they become good stewards of nature without having a connection with it?

Last year, CRA earned a silver level honor in the California Green Ribbon Schools awards program in recognition of its environmental excellence and demonstrated achievement reducing environmental impacts, improving health and wellness by promoting a healthy physical environment, and offering effective environmental and sustainability education.

“We are delighted to have had David come to both of our campuses to talk about the importance of reconnecting with nature,” said CRA’s Executive Director of Operations & Resource Development Eve Fein.

Professor Sobel was also a keynote speaker at the 2025 ECSTEM conference at Caltech in February.

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