Nature based early learning.

Check out the new learning module - Inspiring Nature-Based Early Learning!

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​References and Resources for Expanding Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education Settings

List prepared by:
Elizabeth Marcello   STARS Technical Assistance Coach, ELRC 8, 9, & 10/Child Care Consultants, Inc.
Susan Chlebowski   Outdoor Learning & Play Consultant, ELRC 8, 9, & 10/Child Care Consultants, Inc.
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To learn more about Child Care Consultants, Inc, click here. 
Supports developed in partnership with The Food Trust and Pennsylvania Farm to School Network.

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Getting Creative in Colder Weather

Cheryl Moss, Owner of A Mother's Touch in Mercer County, PA, took the opportunity to bring the OUTSIDE INSIDE when temperatures dropped below 10 degrees...and the children enjoyed this sensory play! Using mittens and cookie cutters, children created explored the snow, building snow shapes AND their vocabulary, too!

Top 10 Resources to Bring More Nature and Outdoor Learning into your program
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1. VIDEO: What is Nature-based early childhood education? by Rachel Larimore
2. VIDEO: What Nature Teaches Children by Nilda Cosco, NC State Natural Learning Initiative
3. Natural Learning Initiative ( NLI), NC State College of Design; many resources available including a Virtual Field Trip and Gardening Activity Guide and Preschool Outdoor Toolkit
4. ECHO: Early Childhood Health Outdoors (a collaboration between NLI and National Wildlife Federation, includes How-To Guides to get started on building elements of an outdoor learning environment)
5. Nature Play at Home: A Guide for Boosting Your Children’s Healthy Development and Creativity (NLI and ECHO) Free, detailed guide adaptable to all spaces.
6. 25 Easy Ideas for Nature Play for Early Childhood Centers (from Green Hearts Institute)
7. Our Forest Classroom: Rotating Spaces for Nature Play (ERAFANS)
8. Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children with the Natural World by Nancy Striniste
9. Nature Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, On Any Budget by Julie Powers, Sheila Williams Ridge
10. Head Start Body Start Infant and Toddler Outdoor Play Space Assessment (ECLKC)

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Research Supporting the Benefits of Outdoor Learning

• Benefits of Engaging Children with Nature  (Natural Learning Initiative, NC State)
• Research Brief: Impact of Naturalized Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments (Natural Learning Initiative, NC State) 

PA-Based Resources

• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Education
  • Project Learning Tree, an award-winning, environmental education program for educators working with students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
  • Sign up to get PA State Parks teacher workshops and outdoor learning activities delivered to your inbox.
• Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE)
• Better Kid Care Free On-Demand Outdoor Learning Course Grow in confidence, understanding and capacity to support best practices in outdoor play for birth to school-age children. (K7.3 C2 CDA5) 2 hours

Parent and Staff Education Resources
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• Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development (NAEYC) - a nice handout to give parents that states the benefits of outdoor play for 18-30 month olds (but can be expanded to younger than 18 months), a reflection section with questions for the families to ponder, and a try it section for them to try at home. Not too wordy and packed with research.
• Top 5: Tips for Active Play, Indoors and Out • ZERO TO THREE
  • Good to give parents to let them try this on their own; if they see it working at home, they will understand why their child’s early learning program does it.
  • Strategies to more fully embrace and support outdoor play and exploration, including staff and families
• A Year of Play • ZERO TO THREE – a monthly activity calendar to give parents starting this January. Could be a center-wide challenge to make it a fun family engagement activity!
• A Natural Choice: Learning Outdoors (a series of articles from NAEYC)​

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Infant and Toddler Resources

• The greening of an outdoor playspace led to an increase in the variety and level of infants’ and toddlers’ movement and physical activity (C&NN
• Raindrops on Noses and Toes in the Dirt: Infants and Toddlers in the Outdoor Classroom By: Ellen Veselack Preschool Director (From Dimensions Foundation and Caltech)
• The Infant Garden, Early Education Journal 59 Autumn 2009 | Jan White Natural Play
• Infants Need Sunlight to Grow (Tinkergarten article on the benefits of nature for infants and toddlers)
• Infant/Toddler Outdoor Play Space Assessment (ECLKC)

• CFOC Standards Database 3.1.3.2 Health Promotion and Protection when Playing Outdoors (from NRC, National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Early Childhood Care and Education)
• Nature-Based Learning and Development | ECLKC
• Nature-based learning resources  (Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center or ECLKC)
• DAP: Teaching to Enhance Each Child’s Development and Learning (NAEYC)
• Natural Start Alliance Google Group of Nature-based educators
  • A project of the NAAEE: eePRO’s group for early childhood educators—anyone working with children from birth through age eight. Our goal is to provide a platform for educators to promote programs or events, share news or resources, ask questions, collaborate with peers, or otherwise use this group to advance your work or program.
• Nature Preschool Community (An ERAFANS Facebook group)
  • Over 20K members and similar to the NSA Google Group: a place to share resources, ask questions, collaborate and find help and inspiration on anything related to getting children outside. 

More to Explore! Click here to view a Nature-Based Play Resource Book List

Research Articles

• Our Proud Heritage. Take It Outside: A History of Nature-Based Education (NAEYC)
• Do Experiences with Nature Promote Learning? (Frontiers in Psychology)
• Play-Based Learning for Children Encouraged by Educators  (Study International)
• 10 Tips for Finding Nature to Bring into your Classroom (NAEYC)
• Preschool in the Park: Place-Based Learning in Unexpected Spaces (NAEYC)

Audio/Video

• VIDEO: What is Nature-based early childhood education? by Rachel Larimore
• AUDIO: Angela Hanscom: Balanced and Barefoot (Interview on The New Schools)
• AUDIO: Peter Gray - Free to Learn (Interview on The New Schools)​

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Higher Education Resources

Natural Learning Initiative (NC State College of Design) - many resources available including an Early Learning Outdoor Environments Certificate

​Antioch College New England - certificate and degree programs for Nature-Based Early Childhood Education.  

National Support

NAAEE: Guidelines for Excellence in Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs
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NAEYC: DAP Position Statement   

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Click to view Nature-Based Play Organizations & Businesses

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Nature-based Learning Materials Guide

Additional Nature-based play sample items and pricing guide