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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
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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 our ELRCs.
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Perhaps, like us, you ate a smorgasbord of foods last week. Our November newsletter is a bit like that: a variety of really great resources from a few of our friends who are advocates for play and nature-based learning! | |
Give to Friends - Tinkergarten outdoor activities where kids learn through play | As kids think about how to share the joy of the holidays with our nature friends, they'll experience a lasting lesson in empathy and giving. | | | |
Provider Spotlight: Busy Bees Natural Learning Center | |
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Tonya Fisher, owner of Busy Bees Natural Learning Center, a STAR 4 Nature Explore-certified group child care program in Centre County, shared with us what they've been up to this summer and fall. This includes adding raised garden beds and harvesting their own veggies, creating a butterfly house, making nature play-dough and butter, adding a stone-digging area, and hanging out with their turtle, Crush!
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While we shared a bunch of great "gear" resources with you last month, our friend in Maine, Ade Hoffman, has created another great guide that we wanted to share. Simply click the link below to download her "ultimate gear guide" that will help both educators and children dress for winter weather. It even includes website and brand suggestions. | |
Curious about the "Reggio Emilia Approach"? | Our friend in Canada, Veronica Green, is a loose parts and Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) trainer and has developed a great introduction to REA. Whether you've never heard of the approach or are looking to learn more and begin implementing the approach in your classroom, check out her video (22 min). Additionally, she offers blog posts, free guides, and a REA course on her website. | |
Featured book: Quality Outdoor Play Environments by Laura Newman
Are you looking for ways to improve your site’s outdoor play space, or planning a completely new space? This guidebook is the result of 20 years of work with educators, administrators, parents, children, design and landscape professionals, municipal staff, and volunteers.
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Featured article: Children today have less independence. Is that fueling a mental health crisis? by Caitlin Gibson
For years, Peter Gray, a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College, has been closely following two disturbing trends: the dwindling of independent activity and play afforded to children over the past half-century, and the accelerating rise in mental health disorders and suicides among youth during that same period. Gray presented his suspicions as to the cause in the September issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, co-written by professors David Lancy and David Bjorklund.
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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 | |
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Have you embraced play and/or nature in your program?
We'd love to hear from you!
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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!
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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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Keep in Touch with Community Connections for Children! | | | | |
