Here is another article, I have used it every year since it was published with my students to get their critical reflection going and really thinking about how they work with children, and what our children are experiencing (or are not experiencing)

http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/ea...x?ArticleID=70

It starts with a quote from Les Mis
"There was a time when the world was a song and the song was exciting."

In particular I ask students to focus on the section "Children's separation from nature"
and also help them to really come to grips with the concepts behind the names "Biophilia and Biophobia"

In our western world where fewer and fewer children get to walk on grass, and smell rain on the earth, it is certainly important to consider what priority we give to the "natural" world...