Play and Nature Newsletter

“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

Sometimes behaviors that children exhibit can make our jobs challenging. While there is no "one size fits all" solution, we are sharing a few ideas this month that can help, like how to allow conflict, and understanding and creating opportunities for sensory input and heavy work. These build on the foundation of play schemas which we shared with you last month.

And don't foget to take a look at our upcoming webinars list, below!

Research shows that play and nature-based learning is crucial for whole-child development. Our hope is that this newsletter can offer actionable ideas, resources, and research that supports child-led play and nature connection for educators and families.

If you're ready to embrace more play and nature in your program, consider the free coaching and professional development that Community Connections for Children offers early learning providers in ELRCs 8, 9, and 10.

Have this newsletter delivered to your inbox monthly.

Teacher Tom: "The Most Beautiful Thing in the World is Conflicting Interests When Both are Good"

"Maybe some of us are born conflict averse, but you wouldn't know it from a play-based preschool classroom where conflict stands at the center of the work we are doing together."

Read the full blog post from Teacher Tom here

An Interview with Angela Hanscom on the Importance of Movement, Nature, and Play in Children's Lives

"The most natural sensory work is going to be done outdoors. And so if you want to develop a child with normal sensory-integration, you need to learn outside."

Read the full interview with pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom here

60 Heavy Work Activities for Sensory Seekers - Sensory Activities | Proprioception

Heavy work activities provide proprioceptive input that can help children stay calm. This list of heavy work activities contains ideas kids can use anywhere.

Featured Podcast:

Teacher Tom's Podcast: Taking Play Seriously

Teacher Tom’s Podcast is all about taking play seriously. In each episode, Teacher Tom inspires early childhood educators, parents, and other listeners with information, techniques, and best practices to provide children with an authentic play-filled childhood.

Listen here

Upcoming Free Virtual Professional Development (non-PQAS)

March 5, 12 PM | The Center on the Developing Child presents: A Place to Play: Working Towards Fairness of Place for All Children

March 6, 2 PM. | Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to Help Children Learn With Nature, by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore

March 14, 6 PM | Early Childhood Health Outdoors presents: Jump, Run, Dig: Embracing Physical Activity in Nature

March 20, 2 PM | Award-Winning Nature Books for Teachers, Children and Families in Your Program! by Betsy Bird, Martha Meyer and Bridget Petrites

April 10, 2 PM | Outdoor Loose Parts! Spark Creativity, Problem-Solving, Communication, and Self-Confidence With Loose Parts Play, by Rusty Keeler

April 11, 6 PM | Early Childhood Health Outdoors presents: Outside the Fence: Let's Go on a Nature Walk!

April 30, 7 PM | Take Me Outside Presents: Developing a Sense of Place by Sparking Curiosity and Wonder

Our Favorite E-Newsletters and Blogs

Ade Hoffman | Cultivating Confidence | Fairy Dust Teaching | Harvard Center on the

Developing Child | Housman Institute | Kristen RB Peterson | Natural Learning Initiative

Natural Start Alliance | Outdoor Learning | PlayvolutionHQ | Pre-K Spot | Rae Pica

Rusty's Backyard | Teacher Tom | The Learning Cupboard | The OT Toolbox | Tinkergarten

Have you embraced play and/or nature in your program?

We'd love to hear from you!

Your ideas, successes and creativity in overcoming some of the

barriers that limit how much children play and experience nature

can help others believe they can make these changes, too.

Please consider sharing your story (or questions/ideas) with us in the link below. If your story is selected, we will feature your program in an upcoming issue.

Your work will then help inspire others!

Share your successes, questions, or ideas here!

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!

Subscribe to the ELRC 8, 9, and 10 Newsletter.

Featured Podcast:

Teacher Tom's Podcast: Taking Play Seriously﻿

Upcoming Free Virtual Professional Development (non-PQAS)

Looking for more information?

Teacher Tom's Podcast: Taking Play Seriously