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Child-Led Play &

Nature

Newsletter 




April 2023


Welcome to our newsletter! This month we're sharing all about...

Outdoor Learning Environments (OLEs)!


Given the evidence of play and extended time in nature in all seasons, we

provide monthly resources, research, and ideas for child-led play (inside

and outside) and nature for educators and families in ELRCs 8, 9 and 10.

Have this newsletter delivered to your inbox monthly.

Benefits of Connecting Children with Nature: Why Naturalize Outdoor Learning Environments


Childcare center naturalized outdoor learning environments (OLEs) stimulate the diversity of children’s play experience and contribute to their healthy development. Best practice design of OLEs incorporates trees, shrubs, vines, flowers, grasses, edible fruits and vegetables—to connect children with nature and diversify their outdoor experience.


This InfoSheet from the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) discusses the benefits of connecting children to nature and presents examples of simple ways to naturalize outdoor learning environments in childcare centers.

Click here to view additional InfoSheets and Leaflets from NLI

Check out this guide from natural playground designer and author Rusty Keeler that outlines 20 different ideas including building hills, bringing in natural elements, installing water, and adding art. Rusty is available to hire for design consulting through his website.

Click here to access the guide
Click here to join Rusty's upcoming Risky Play Roundtable!

POEMS: Preschool Outdoor Environment Measurement Scale


The objective of the instrument is to provide a valid, reliable tool for assessing the quality of outdoor environments and their use and at the same time provide guidance to childcare professionals and site administrators to assist them in making improvements. The instrument is structured with five domains, which contain 54 assessment items scored dichotomously (present/not present). Guidance is provided for possible actions to improve environments based on the domain/item scores.

Click here to learn more about POEMS

39 fun ways kids can play outside this spring

The sun is getting warmer, birds are singing, and my children are shedding their winter gear all over our backyard. Spring is in the air! After the long sleep of winter, nature is filled with a flutter of activity and new energy. Trees are exploding with blooms, insects are buzzing, and critters are busy building nests.

Read More

Featured Book:

Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning by Rachel Larimore



Preschool Beyond Walls shows practical and strategic ways educators can create rich, explorative, and interdisciplinary learning through extensive outdoor experiences. Learn how to develop and implement a nature-based curriculum to support children's optimal learning, from start to finish. Whether you're creating a new curriculum or transitioning from a traditional approach, you will learn how to: • Create a program philosophy • Infuse nature into all aspects of your program • Prepare teachers for a nature-centered approach • Implement curriculum and pedagogy that emphasize inquiry-based learning through play and hands-on discovery • Maintain high-quality early childhood practices that support children's development.

Click here to learn more about Rachel and her work

Featured Webinar:

Children Thrive Outside: A New Day for Outdoor Play in Child Care


In this recorded webinar, expert speakers from around the U.S. summarized the research, illuminated examples of successful site enhancements, and discussed policy solutions by federal and state agencies. The discussion reinforced that the facilitation and activation of quality outdoor learning environments, and the policies to support them, is already happening around the country on multiple scales: in urban outdoor spaces covered in asphalt, in state policies in Texas, and in guidance given to Head Start programs around the U.S. But the work is just beginning, and together, we can take immediate steps to bring the benefits of nature-based play and learning to every young child - every day, everywhere.

Click here to watch the webinar

Our Free Resources

Access our Nature-Based Play Resource List on the Keystone Kids Go website.

Check out the "Inspiring Nature-Based Early Learning" webinar here. This training counts for 1 hour of PQAS PD (and can count toward STARS indicator EC 3.4.6).

Looking for more information?


Technical Assistance Coach Elizabeth Marcello and Outdoor Learning & Play Consultant Susan Chlebowski can partner with you to provide center-based or individual classroom coaching and professional development in the topics of play-based learning, nature-based learning, classroom management and challenging behavior support, or innovative solutions to barriers. Complete a "Consultation Request" through your PD Registry Organization Page's Keystone STARS tab to request coaching. 



*For early learning providers in ELRCs 8, 9, and 10 only.

Do you have a topic you'd like to see covered in this newsletter? What have you tried that others might be interested in? Please consider sharing your questions, ideas, or stories with us below, and we will include them in an upcoming newsletter!

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