Play is everywhere. It slips through sidewalks and across continents. In this episode of Play Nature Podcast, host Rusty Keeler welcomes playworker, play advocate, and "friend of play" Marc Armitage. Marc is joining from Australia with stories that stretch from Yorkshire to the far corners of playgrounds and city streets.

Playdough ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup salt

4 teaspoons cream of tartar

2 cups lukewarm water

2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (coconut oil works too)

Food coloring, optional

Quart sized bags

Stir together the flour, salt and cream of tartar in a large pot. Next add the water and oil. If you’re only making one color, add in the color now as well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the dough has thickened and begins to form into a ball. Remove from heat and then place inside a gallon sized bag or onto wax paper. Allow to cool slightly and then knead until smooth. If you’re adding colors after, divide the dough into balls (for how many colors you want) and then add the dough into the quart-sized bags. Start with about 5 drops of color and add more to brighten it. Knead the dough while inside the bag so it doesn’t stain your hands. Once it’s all mixed together, you’re ready to PLAY.

Thank you to our STARS Outreach Coach, Katelyn, for this recipe!

In October 2025, the Natural Start Alliance released Recommendations for Licensing Outdoor, Nature-Based Early Learning and Child Care Programs in draft form. Recommendations are now being sought from professionals with expertise in early learning policy, program delivery, and related fields, along with parents and caregivers, or anyone who prioritizes children's access to outdoor, nature-based early learning. Deadline to submit: March 20. 

Mar 10: Spring Celebration of Outdoor Learning!

Observation is at the heart of effective early childhood practice, yet it is also an art—one that calls you to slow down, notice, and truly see the child before you. In this session, you’ll be invited to step into the role of a keen observer, sharpening your awareness and deepening your understanding of what unfolds in your learning environment each day.

Not everyone needs to have a green thumb to learn how to grow plants with young children. In this 1.5-hour webinar, participants will learn about the benefits of gardening with young children, gardening basics (including plant selection, plant needs, and materials needed), gardening design (types of early childhood education gardens and design considerations), and opportunities for gardening with children (including lesson plans and resources). Break out your tools, and let’s get messy!



*This webinar is listed in Mountain Time.

Learn how to use your mud kitchen as a tool to support your student's development. Mud kitchens are easy ways to add sensory input into your curriculum to support collaboration, motor skills, literacy, math, and science. It is an inclusive activity that will help with the foundational skills needed for printing and storytelling. Discover the tools needed and expand learning into your class curriculum year-round.

Every emotion, reaction, and behavior tells a story—and it begins deep within the brain and body. In this insightful and grounding session, we’ll explore the fascinating connection between the brain, the nervous system, and emotional regulation in early childhood.

In this brand new 6-week course, you will learn how to transform your preschool (or your home) environment into a true "co-teacher" and ally, and stop feeling trapped and frustrated by its limitations.

Kisha welcomes Renata Bowers and discusses the many aspects of her early childhood advocacy work, from authoring children's books that promote positive self-image, autonomy, and freedom to her direct work with children and families.

How does your classroom environment shape children's behaviour, independence, and learning? In this episode of The Everything ECE Podcast, Carla sits down with Jennifer Fernandez, School Specialty's Early Childhood Education Strategist for the U.S.

In this episode, we continue our series on nature-based emergent curriculum, guiding you to take small, manageable steps to build your confidence. This week we're focusing on live observations of children's play to knowing their curiosities and interests.

Check out the rest of the episodes in this series here.

In this episode, Potty Train with Confidence: Supporting Readiness and Routine in the Classroom, we're joined by Eryn Panko, CCC's Health and Wellness Coach, for a practical and encouraging conversation on supporting potty training in early care settings.