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“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning.
But for children, play IS serious learning.
Play is really the work of childhood.”
~ Fred Rogers
| | Research shows that play and nature-based learning is crucial for whole-child development and wellbeing. This newsletter offers actionable ideas, resources, and research that support child-led play and nature connection for educators and families. | | |
Movement
We are creeping toward that time of year when I often hear, "The children haven't been outside in days because of the weather, and they are bouncing off the walls!" Movement is crucial for young children to develop and learn, so how do we ensure they are receiving the hours of moderate to strenuous physical activity they need daily, even during the colder months?
Take a look at these resources for new information and ideas so you can ensure your children are getting the movement (and the outdoor time) they need for healthy growth!
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Remove the Bubble Wrap: Why Overprotection Hinders Healthy Child Development | You may find yourself having a natural tendency to say, “No spinning, you may get dizzy,” or “Get down from that tree, you might get hurt.” However, when we restrict children from experiencing new sensations of their own free will, they may not develop the senses and motor skills necessary to take risks without getting hurt. Then we, the adults, become the barrier to healthy child development. | | | | |
From Wiggles to Wonder: How Movement Fuels Learning with Rae Pica
This short video (2.5-minutes) makes the case that children’s movement isn’t a distraction—it's a powerful driver of learning. Rae explains how physical activity activates neural pathways tied to memory, focus, and emotional regulation, and shows how simple shifts—like acting out vocabulary, integrating movement into math, or adding quick “brain breaks”—honor children's natural energy instead of suppressing it. By treating wiggles as signals rather than problems, educators can create classrooms that are more inclusive, engaging, and developmentally aligned. The core message: movement isn’t something to manage; it’s something to celebrate.
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#6: The 3 Gross Motor Skills That All Preschoolers Need with Robyn Papworth | Robyn is the founder of Play, Move, Improve. Robyn is an exercise physiologist, developmental educator and mother of three whose mission is to help children learn through play. | | | |
Physical Activity for Positive Behavior Support (On-Demand BKC Course) | |
Children experience their worlds physically through senses and movement. Understanding motor development and sensory integration allows one to reframe challenging behaviors such as running, jumping, and climbing for what they are-natural movement urges that children experience as a normal part of their development.
^This course is so good! We highly recommend it to all childcare teaching staff and administrators.
| | | | Update from the International Play Association (IPA) USA Conference | | | | |
Yes, there is an entire 4-day conference dedicated to children's right to PLAY in the U.S. 🎉
Susan, Ashlee, and I (Elizabeth) had an amazing time connecting with educators, professors, trainers, and other leaders in the child's right to play movement across the country and the world. We took workshops with Rachel Larimore, built fires with Rusty Keeler, toured early learning classrooms with Sandra Duncan (pictured left), and played a whole lot!
| | The Kentucky Science Museum in Louisville is a dynamic, three-floor interactive museum where hands-on exhibits bring science to life for learners of all ages. One of our favorite exhibits was the UPS truck! | | The Playcosystem at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is a 17-acre, nature-based playground designed to offer children open-ended, unstructured play opportunities in harmony with the natural environment. Notice their use of milkcrates as loose parts! | | We visited Providence Child Care and Preschool in Louisville, pictured above. We were impressed by their playhouse made of pallets and the play invitations they set up which used materials like pipe cleaners, plastic and cardboard tubes, and rings of different textures and sizes. These are set out on tables for children to discover, explore, and play with as they wish. | | Pictured here is The Falls of the Ohio, a unique river site where visitors can walk across ancient fossil beds and experience a rare window into the region’s deep geological past. A significant amount of driftwood and other floating debris, including human trash, accumulates along the riverbank and fossil beds, making it a true "Adventure Playground" for those who visit. We saw evidence of play and played ourselves. | | PlayPort is a newly-opened, one-of-a-kind 3.5-acre outdoor play and learning area in Louisville that uses repurposed construction and boat materials to create a STEM-rich playground environment and welcomes children of all abilities. | | Upcoming Professional Development | |
November 6, 2 PM | The Science of Play: A framework for deep, joyful, and developmentally essential learning by Amanda Morgan, MS | Blending research, real-world examples, and her signature warmth and wit, Amanda will guide you through the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Method—a practical framework for making play purposeful and powerful in any early childhood setting. Whether you're a teacher on the ground or a leader shaping program direction, this session will reframe the way you view play—and inspire you to champion it with clarity and confidence. | | | |
November 19, 2 PM | SING.PLAY.LOVE. Supporting Early Language and Parent-Child Relationships with Music and Play by Anne Meeker Watson, PhD | This session will introduce participants to catchy, easy-to-learn songs that promote communication and emotional regulation, along with practical ways to embed music and play throughout classroom and home environments. Dr. Meeker Watson will also offer creative ideas for bridging the gap between early childhood programs and families, helping caregivers continue the learning (and the fun!) at home—while reducing screen time and increasing face-to-face connection. | | | |
December 2, 7 PM | Reusing your Christmas Tree with Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds | In this webinar, participants will learn how to repurpose discarded Christmas trees as teaching tools. Let the creative juices flow from fort building to making giant bird feeders and transient art projects. The best part of using repurposed trees is that these materials and loose parts are free and ready for picking in early January. This workshop offers great team-building, problem-solving, and creative social collaboration opportunities. Plus, the needles stay green all winter long! A great loose part to have in any outdoor space. | | | |
December 5, 12-4 PM | Engaging Exchange Online Conference: Protecting Play - Nature Explore | |
Join us as we uplift play and build a community of play advocates! Years of extensive research affirm that providing time, space, and appropriate adult support for children's play leads to optimal learning and development.
Participants will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of play in multiple learning domains
- Consider the relationship between care, imagination, and play
- Explore new ways to support educators in scaffolding children’s play
- Discover strategies to help families understand the importance of play
- And much more!
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Mission: Outdoor Play The Scottish Way! | Join us on a professional learning journey from 9-15th March 2026. Over five full-on days, you'll explore some of Scotland's most pioneering outdoor nurseries and play environments, guided by the Stramash team and international play expert Rusty Keeler. With a central base in the Highlands, this carefully curated learning journey blends immersive visits, practical workshops,... | | | |
ICYMI: Natural Start Alliance Recommendations for Licensing Outdoor, Nature-Based Programs | In this webinar recording, hear from Dr. Aliza Yair and Kit Harrington about about the new comprehensive policy recommendations resource for communities, including regulatory agencies, in expanding children's access to safe and high-quality outdoor and nature-based learning through policy. | | | | 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). | | | |
Quest for Quality Podcast
Part 1: The Benefits of Outdoor Learning and How to Start Small
Research shows that children thrive outdoors and have opportunities for learning, development and self-regulation that cannot be achieved indoors. In this podcast, Susan and Elizabeth discuss how nature play supports the health and well-being of children and adults alike, the features of an Outdoor Learning Environment compared to a playground, the barriers that may limit how much time children spend outdoors, and small-step solutions anyone can take to get started.
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Quest for Quality Podcast
Part 2: Diving Deeper into Outdoor Learning Practices
In part 2 of this outdoor learning series, Susan and Elizabeth do a deeper dive into what outdoor play really looks like, including some additional areas you can set up, how to easily connect outdoor play to learning standards, and our role as the adult in this type of play-based, child-led exploration.
Click here for part 1 and 2 resources.
| | | Our Favorite E-Newsletters and Blogs | |
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.
| | | | Keep in Touch with Community Connections for Children! | | | | |
