About Vicki
Meet the Certified Family Life Educator and Early Childhood Specialist behind
Green at Birth
Vicki L. Ehlers, CFLE
Want to know a little bit more about me and what I'm all about? Well, you've come to the right place!
My life's work is dedicated to celebrating the lives of young children and their caregivers. I believe that early childhood is a unique time of life worthy of the highest respect and care. I also believe that every child deserves nurturing relationships and environments to ensure long-term well-being for themselves and for our society.
So what does a respectful and nurturing world look like to young children? It is filled with play! It honors a sense of wonder and awe, it is rich with interesting things to touch and smell and taste and hear, and it beckons exploration and discovery. It is unhurried.
I have been drawn to nature as far back as I can remember. My childhood was filled with mudpies, little critters, dandelion chains, and quiet moments snuggled in the lap of a cherished adult under the shade of a tree. Nature is the place I still seek for solace and excitement, for reassurance and challenges, and for beauty and meaning.
From preschool teacher, to parent educator, to state education program director, to college instructor, I have seen the difference that playful and loving relationships can make in the lives of people of all ages. I have also noted people, young and old, become more fully alive when they are "just messing around" with natural elements or in natural environments. It is in the connections to each other and with the natural world that we get to experience the full range of joyful lives well-lived.
So, I invite you to join my celebration of young children and nature. Let's explore the world hand-in-hand. A child is waiting to cherish you and the time you spend playing together. Nature is waiting to nurture both of you. Ready? Let's go!