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

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 this newsletter delivered to your inbox monthly.

Bundle Up and Get Outside: Why Kids Should Play Outdoors in the Winter

You didn't think you'd get through a winter edition of our newsletter without an article about how to safely allow children to play outside in the cold, did you??

From Community PlayThings: It is up to adults to focus on the importance of children’s play, regardless of the season. After all, play should not be restricted to warm weather. Let’s welcome this upcoming winter season with a playful attitude!

Click Here to Read More

How to Celebrate Winter Solstice with Kids

From Tinkergarten: This solstice moment has been marked in special ways and reflected in winter holidays around the world and throughout the ages. Full of the stuff that sparks joy—lights in the darkness, colors, circles and spirals, nature treasures—this timeless human tradition that can provide a real joyful boost today, especially with little kids. Mark the start of winter with 13 fun and easy DIY activities.

Click Here to Read More

Sparking Curiosity Through Loose Parts Play in Winter

As part of their series of at-home WILD Family Nature Club activities, the Canadian Wildlife Federation invites you to learn more about the benefits of loose parts play and discover some easy ideas to get kids outside exploring nature in a more unstructured, open-ended way. Loose parts play is as easy and affordable as it sounds.

Click Here to Read More

Featured Podcast:

The Play Based Learning Podcast EP 40: Tips and Tricks for Dressing for Outdoor Play with Ade Hoffman

Last month we shared Ade's Outdoor Gear Guide. This month we are sharing a podcast episode where she and Kristen R. B. Peterson discuss the significance of outdoor gear for children's play and share inclusive strategies and recommended brands. Ade also gives us an overview of her vision for a rental program that makes outdoor play accessible to all (31-minute listen).

Click Here to Listen

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).

Winter Nature-Based Learning Activities

Our friend in Venango County, Lindsey Brown, who runs her own Nature Explore Certified Family Child Care, has graciously shared her free winter "animal tracks nature hunt" activity with us! Click on the photo below to download this resource.

To browse her other resources, like these nature viewers, visit her Teachers Paying Teachers website here.

Upcoming Free Virtual Professional Development (non-PQAS)

Bienenstock presents: Winter Nature Play

In this webinar, we will explore the opportunities that winter has to offer while highlighting the importance of outdoor unstructured play.

Click Here to Register

Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to help children learn with nature, by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore - Early Childhood Webinars

Sponsored by Samara Early Learning Early education program leaders around the world are becoming more enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many leaders find themselves wanting to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organization as well as the practices of individual teachers is incredibly challenging.

Click Here to Register

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.

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