Understand the importance of classroom design in promoting play-based learning in public schools, with insights on layout, materials, and strategies to enhance student development.

Play Deprivation Delay Theory starts from the uncomfortable observation that in many places, it isn’t. At least not in the way it used to be. If you build a beautiful three-tier system on top of a childhood that has lost enormous amounts of real play, you shouldn’t be shocked when the whole structure starts to wobble. We don’t just have a behavior problem. We have a broken foundation problem.

Access to nature in the early years isn't optional. It's foundational. Read more about the why - and the how - in this article.

This practitioner-informed handbook brings together insights from early childhood educators in Minnesota and Norway to offer practical, real-world guidance for supporting outdoor play in cold climates. Developed by the University of Minnesota Duluth with the Natural Start Alliance, it’s a hands-on resource for extending outdoor learning through the winter months.

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. 

Join Infant Mental Health & Early Years Specialist, Sophie Rayner-Grignon to discover how to become an active, responsive partner in play with infants. You’ll dive into the curious minds of babies, unpack common barriers, and reframe your approach to infant play through a developmental and trauma-informed lens. Leave with practical ideas, real-world examples, and a curated collection of next-step resources to help educators, infants, and their communities engage meaningfully with Loose Parts.

Feb 10: Supporting Youth in Learning from the Land

Feb 24: Getting Yourself Outdoor Learning Certified!

Mar 3: Mentorship in the Wild: Leadership, Adventure & Wonder

Mar 10: Spring Celebration of Outdoor Learning!

Learn the ‘in and outs’ of making maple syrup at your school or center. In this session, you will learn how to tap your trees on your playground to make maple syrup. We will review the equipment needed, identify the correct trees, and learn how to boil down your sap safely. Practical ideas from years of experience will support the success of this activity.

Ever wonder why some children seem to demand attention in ways that leave you feeling unsure or frustrated? In this workshop, we’ll uncover the hidden stories behind four distinct types of attention-seeking behaviors. You’ll learn to look beyond the surface and understand the why behind each child’s actions, helping you unlock new pathways to connection and care. As educators, it can be challenging when we’re unable to meet the needs of every child at once.

This engaging and interactive workshop will explore practical, joyful ways to nurture early literacy, emotional regulation, and social connection in young children through the powerful combination of carefully selected picture books, songs, rhythm, and rhyme. You’ll discover how these simple, everyday tools are deeply intertwined with social-emotional learning (SEL), providing a holistic foundation for development. We will delve into clear criteria for selecting rich picture book literature that captivates young minds and offers concrete opportunities for teaching a variety of essential skills. 

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.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Play Nature Podcast! A full circle around the sun. A new season of listening begins. Winter has arrived (at least in Ithaca, NY). Cold. Snow. Gray skies. And...PLAY.

Listen to this episode from The Everything ECE Podcast on Spotify. Transitions get a bad reputation: rushed, chaotic, stressful. But they don't have to be. In this episode, Carla explores a powerful mindset shift: transitions aren't the thing before the next thing.

This episode kicks off a series focusing on nature-based emergent curriculum, which prioritizes child-led, experiential learning with nature. In this first episode in the series, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore focuses on the importance of noticing nature's rhythms to support planning for play possibilities.

*Make sure to check out parts 2-4 here!

Early childhood teaching is meaningful—and exhausting. In this episode, we slow things down and speak directly to infant, toddler, and preschool teachers about burnout, well-being, and the emotional weight of the work. Through real classroom scenarios and gentle, practical strategies, this episode offers a moment of validation, reflection, and support—without asking you to do more. This is a reminder that your well-being matters too.