College of Education and Human Development

Institute of Child Development

People

Sheila Williams Ridge

  • Director, Child Development Laboratory School; Instructor

Sheila is a facilitator for the NAEYC Young Children and Nature Interest Forum, on the Voices and Choices coalition, a board member for the Minneapolis Nature Preschool, a board member for Monarch Joint Venture, a board member for Dodge Nature…

    EdD, Education Leadership

    MA, Early Childhood Education, Concordia University
    BA, Biology, University of Minnesota, Morris

      Nature-based learning; Early childhood education; Benefits of outdoor play for young children and families

        Sheila is a facilitator for the NAEYC Young Children and Nature Interest Forum, on the Voices and Choices coalition, a board member for the Minneapolis Nature Preschool, a board member for Monarch Joint Venture, a board member for Dodge Nature Center, a school board member for Saint Paul City Schools, and a member of the Natural Start Alliance Leadership Team. She is co-author of the book, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget, published by Redleaf Press and is passionate about encouraging nature-based play and the lasting developmental benefits of a relationship between children and nature.

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        Sheila Williams Ridge