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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. | | |
❄️ December is here—and winter didn’t wait to make an entrance. With snow already on the ground, it feels like the season is nudging us to enjoy its sparkle a little early, inviting us to bundle up and play outside while the world is freshly dusted
in white. ⛄
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Winter Solstice Activity For Kids | Tinkergarten | Tinkergarten's "Celebrate Winter Solstice" activity connects kids to nature and helps them embrace change, one of life's most important skills to learn. | | | |
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children's health | In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing. | | | | Upcoming Professional Development | |
Asynchronous Dec. 3 - Dec. 19 | Controlled Chaos: Teacher Tom's Play-Based Classroom Management Course | In this brand new 6-week course, you will learn how to radically reduce the pressure of being a pre-k or kindergarten teacher by “letting go” a little bit more. We will explore how to move away from disrespectful behaviorism with its rewards and punishments, and shift to a place of genuine collaboration with these young citizens. Designed for early childhood educators, directors, and childcare owners. | | | |
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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December 9, 1:00 PM | Flourishing in Winter: Guidance for Cold-Weather Play | |
Emily Johnson, co-author of Flourishing in Winter, shares this new guide which offers a wealth of real-world insights gathered from practitioners in Minnesota and Norway—regions where cold-weather outdoor learning thrives.
In this webinar you’ll discover:
- The benefits of cold-weather play for young children
- How to cultivate positive attitudes among educators and families
- Communication strategies for engaging parents and caregivers
- Dressing for success: tips for warmth, comfort, and safety
- A collection of play ideas and activities to enrich your winter curriculum
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December 9, 2:00 PM | Science of Play Series - Part 3 / The Power of Play: Losing and Finding Ourselves Through Everyday Play | As a like-minded play advocate, PlayCore is proud to partner with Dr. Stuart Brown on furthering the advancement of play and helping our world understand the critical importance of participating in play throughout life. | | | |
December 16, 2:00 PM | Brrr...It's Cold Outside. Let's Go Out and Play! | So often cold temperatures and snow deter us from taking our children outdoors in Winter. Join us for this 1.5-hour webinar to learn hands on and fun ways to engage children outdoors in Winter. We will discuss barriers, guided activities, and ways your outdoor space can support play year-round. Let’s bundle up with hats, mittens and scarves, and play. | | | |
December 18, 2:00 PM | Understanding the Science of Reading Through Child-Led Play | In this engaging and practical session, Laura Shea, early childhood educator, adjunct-professor, and founder of Little Stories That Stick, will show how the Science of Reading can complement—not compete with—child-led play. With over a decade of experience in literacy development and play-based learning, Laura will unpack what the research truly says, how children build foundational reading skills before decoding begins, and why oral language, storytelling, and play are powerful tools for building brains ready to read. | | | |
January 14-15, 2026 | Rooted Connections: A Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders | Join nature-based leaders at the Rooted Connections retreat to deepen your purpose and connect with the natural world through immersive experiences and reflection. | | | |
March 9-15, 2026 | 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 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. | | | |
Ep 19 | Schema Play Explained: Why Scooping, Dumping, and Mess-Making Matter with Heather Bernt-Santy - Rusty Keeler | Have you ever watched a child scoop birdseed, roll in grass, or wrap Play-Doh around tiny toys and think, "What on earth are they doing?" In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler is chatting and laughing with Heather Bernt-Santy, THE Early Childhood Nerd, to find out why those moments are more than just mess and motion. | | | |
EP 33 | Nature for Everywhere for Everyone - Defending the Early Years | Kisha and Monica discuss the importance of providing the time, space, and permission for nature play and exploration. And advocating for nature education access for all. Monica has pursued her love of nature-based education for over two decades. She is the founding director of the Association for Nature-Based Education (ANBE). | | | |
Se 2 Ep 14 | A Pause to Celebrate Semester Success - Samara Early Learning | The Mindful Turtle Podcast provides small, actionable tips to help nature-based early childhood educators to transform their nature-based teaching one intentional step at a time. Hosted by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore of Samara Early Learning. | | | |
Q4Q | Making Pre Designation a Success | Get ready as we unlock the mysteries of the pre-designation visit! In this episode, we break down what to expect, how to prepare, and the key pieces that make the process feel smooth, supportive, and totally achievable. Whether you're approaching your first visit or looking for a confidence boost, we're giving you the inside scoop you need. | | | | 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.
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Looking for more information?
STARS Outdoor Learning 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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