Play and Nature Newsletter

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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

✨ Happy 2024! ✨

This month, we're focusing on play schemas. Have you heard of them? Check out our resources below to learn more about WHY children play how they do, and why we need to allow this play to take place for their healthy development.

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.

What is a play schema?

Why do young children do what they do? Have you seen a toddler repeat an activity over and over again – tipping over the Lego box and emptying its contents on the floor, swishing the paint around in a circle, rolling their toy car over the uneven tiles and refusing to stop? It’s actually all part of their essential brain development and is called a schema.

150+ Fun Play Schema Activities

Learn about play schemas and get activity ideas for each of the 9 play schemas.

Take a look at these upcoming training opportunities from some of our favorite play-based educators:

Join Sally Haughey as she shares how to nurture the learning, growth, and development of the children in your care through the power of less by:

-Clearing away all the theory and jargon

-Focusing on what matters in the classroom

-Making a shift in what you’re already doing

Teacher Tom's Play-Based Learning Course provides:

-A framework for developing or enhancing your play-based preschool

-The tools and inspiration you need to understand children's educational development.

-The ability to ensure that children gain self-motivation, curiosity, a willingness to fail, and getting along with other people.

Camp Renegade Play is a 4-day virtual conference to help early childhood educators go from hesitant to confident when implementing the unconventional, yet developmentally appropriate, characteristics of play into their environment. A FREE 24-hour day pass is being offered for this conference.

Featured Book:

Children's Lively Minds: Schema Theory Made Visible by Deb Curtis and Nadia Jaboneta

Children’s Lively Minds is filled with stories about real children exploring schema, followed by reflection and questions about what children might be learning. Schema theory is happening in your work with young children whether you know it or not. Understanding it and putting intention behind it, can help families and teachers ease frustration with young children’s repetitive behavior and allow adults to better support brain development.

Get a Copy Here

Featured podcast:

Childhood Rising: Play Schemas Can Transform the Way We View Play and Behaviour

In this episode, host Hannah Warren is joined by Shelby from Homegrown Learning Studio FDC. Shelby is an experienced Early Childhood Educator who is sharing the wisdom of play schemas. Understanding these innate urges in our children can transform the way we view our children's play and their behaviour too!

Listen Here

Our Free Resources

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).

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!

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