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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 supports child-led play and nature connection for educators and families. | | |
Provider Spotlight:
Creating a New Outdoor Learning Environment
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In early 2024, Inspiration Station launched an Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE) initiative as part of our OLE Pilot Project. Since then, they’ve made remarkable progress in transforming a once-barren field behind their building into a vibrant and engaging outdoor space for their preschoolers. While the work is still ongoing, the transformation so far has been inspiring. We celebrate their passion, dedication, and vision for creating a space where children can truly thrive outdoors.
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"We’re thrilled to share how our outdoor learning environment came to life! Originally, we planned to install a single piece of playground equipment atop an expensive rubber surface—but once we discovered the benefits of a nature-based design, we couldn’t resist making the switch. With support from staff members, parent volunteers, professional contractors, and even the children themselves, we transformed the space into a hands-on haven for exploration.
Today, our students can’t wait to head outside each day. They splash through muddy puddles with rain suits and all, climb on their new slide, dig in the sandbox, observe plants through seasons and race along open paths. Watching their faces light up as they build, dig, and play in nature reminds us why this was the perfect choice: there’s truly no substitute for learning and growing in the great outdoors!"
-Jennifer Peck, Owner and Director of Inspiration Station in Camp Hill
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Jennifer's advice:
"Start simple: begin with basic elements like logs, stumps, and a mud kitchen, then introduce loose parts so the play and interactions can evolve naturally. Don’t fear a little risk and write a Benefit Risk Assessment. Enjoy how the space changes with the seasons. Remember that staff mindset and training are crucial; involve your team early. Keep the area maintained, and know it doesn’t have to look perfect. All progress can be made step by step."
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Quotes from the children: What is your favorite part of the OLE?
- Playing in the mud kitchen pretending we are at McDonalds."
- "Catching bug."
- "I love to run around with my friends."
- "I like jumping in the puddles."
- "It's fun digging in the sand."
From preschool teacher Miss Paula:
"Nature station gives the children a chance to use their imagination while playing. Sticks and leaves become cookies and cupcakes. They start thinking outside of the box."
The three and four-year-olds at Inspiration Station played our "This or That: Nature Play Edition". Check out their results below!
| | | Upcoming Conferences & Webinars | |
Designing Engaging Early Childhood Environments Using Principals of ECE Program Pedagogical Approaches | August 21, 2 PM | This session explores how various early childhood pedagogies influence the design of learning environments, with a focus on physical space, materials, cultural responsiveness, and universal design. Presenters will share practical strategies to help you create learning spaces that reflect your program’s philosophy and support the needs of all children. | | | Jump, Run, Dig: Embracing Physical Activity in Nature | August 26, 8 PM | Outdoor time that promotes and supports physical activity is critical for child development. However, how can you embrace active play beyond a traditional play structure? In this 1.5-hour webinar, learn ways nature can create and promote opportunities for active play. Participants will plan for different types of movement including climbing, kicking, throwing, and lifting, and strategize how unique play elements including stumps, water, and ribbon can promote whole body development. Participants will also learn from examples of intentionally designed outdoor spaces that support the physical development of children. | | | |
Unraveling the Mystery of Outdoor Loose Parts | September 9, 7 PM | In this session, we will streamline your loose parts and tools that can be used outdoors for the early years. | | | |
"Good Job" Isn't Good Enough: Real Tools to Replace Praise, Rewards, and Punishment | September 18, 2 PM | This webinar with Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak and Dr. Julie Causton explores how to move beyond praise, rewards, and punishment by using brain-based strategies like Positive Descriptive Acknowledgment and co-regulation to foster inclusion and emotional safety. Participants will gain practical tools, real-life examples, and reflective prompts to help shift from behavior control to connection in early childhood classrooms. | | | |
Play Schemas for Inquiry-Based Learning | September 25, 2 PM | In this engaging webinar, Actions of Play authors Heather Jackson and Lisa Agogliati explore how play schemas can deepen your conversations with children and enhance observation and curriculum planning. Through real-life stories, rich documentation, and photos from their own classrooms, they’ll show how play schemas became the foundation for meaningful project work and inquiry-based learning. | | | |
The 2025 Pennsylvania ECE Summit | October 19-21 | The ECE Summit is an opportunity to dialogue and learn while building a stronger early learning community. Since 2008, the annual Early Childhood Education Summit has inspired educators, parents and other professionals to reach for, strengthen and sustain high-quality early care and education and care systems critical to young children and families in Pennsylvania. | | | | 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.
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