|
“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 playing outdoors offers benefits that are not possible indoors. However, it can be challenging to figure out how to make more nature play possible. We hope this newsletter can help!
This newsletter offers actionable ideas, resources, and research that supports child-led play and nature connection for educators and families in ELRCs 8, 9 and 10.
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 you always wanted to enhance your outdoor play area?
You have until midnight on
Monday, October 30, 2023, to apply for the
Outdoor Learning Environment Pilot Project!
The facts at a glance:
- Applications are simple and take only ~30 minutes to complete.
-
Applications are due Monday, October 30 by midnight.
- Project basics include:
- A site-specific master plan for an enhanced Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE)
- Professional development and coaching in Nature-based ECE
-
Please note that this project is not funding.
-
Please read full project description here (Application included in flyer)
Questions? Please email Elizabeth Marcello at emarcello@childcareconsultants.org
| | |
Curious how nature benefits young children? Looking to help educate others? Check out this short info sheet that is ideal to post in your center and share with staff and families (source: Natural Learning Initiative)
| |
Getting children outside daily, in all kinds of weather, has many benefits for children (and adults!), but it takes the right gear. Given the health, developmental and learning benefits of nature, ideally, proper outerwear should be incorporated into the budget as essential, including a stipend for teachers to purchase quality outerwear. This level of commitment takes planning, time and money, but the benefits are well worth the effort, and it doesn't have to be a financial burden on either you or the families. When a childcare center owns the proper gear and it stays at the childcare center, it is easier for parents and there are fewer barriers to getting children outside every day. This equitable approach means that all children, regardless of family income, are dressed and ready for the weather for the activity that often brings the most joy, engagement, and calm to children: playing outside. Additional strategies include having parents supply what they can, but having basics on hand for children who don't have all the essentials. Ask families and your community to donate too-small boots, hats, gloves, and coats. Consider holding a fundraiser for new gear, or starting an Amazon wish list of items that families and other stakeholders can purchase for you (tip: the holiday season is the perfect time to do this!). Your effort now can help ensure that each child has the gear they need for colder temperatures and wet or snowy days, so that all children can enjoy the daily time in nature that research shows is essential to their physical and mental health, learning and development.
Check out these outerwear resources which are ideal to share with parents, so they know how to dress children for cooler, wet or snowy weather.
| |
How to Dress Your Kids for the Outdoors
A comfortable kid outdoors is a happy kid outdoors. One key to keeping them comfortable is making sure they’re dressed appropriately for the conditions. But knowing how to outfit your child for the outdoors, where the weather can quickly change from hot and sunny to cold and wet, isn’t always simple, especially given that a child may not be able to tell you if they are hot or cold. That said, there are some guidelines and tips that should help set your child up for a successful outdoor experience.
| |  |
|
5 Steps to Dressing Kids for Rain and Cold
This resource, written from a parent whose child attends an outdoor preschool in Seattle (where it rains A LOT!) shares the "5 C's" she uses to dress her child for school each day, and includes photos.
| | |
Sample Letter for Families | Looking for a sample letter to send home to families regarding what to send to school with their children for outdoor play? Click below to view Schlitz Audubon Nature Preschool's letter. | |
Featured Podcast:
The Everything ECE Podcast
Join early childhood professional Carla Ward as she dives deep into all things ECE-related, from block play to loose parts to increasing parent engagement and beyond. This podcast will provide you with inspiration and actionable steps to create play-based environments that support children in self-motivation and self-regulation, all while meeting development and learning standards.
A few of our favorite episodes are:
| |
| |
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 | |
|
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 stories (or questions and 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!
| |
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! | | | | |
