Every day more research comes out talking about the importance of getting our kids outside. See previous blog posts for links and resources (http://eco-smartparent.blogspot.com/2013/07/getting-our-kids-outside.html). Many countries including Canada, Germany and England are beginning to integrate new policies that combine outdoor play and learning with pre-kindergarten schools.
Research has shown that regular time in nature:
- Facilitates better social and physical development
- Improves fitness, motor-skills, and well-being
- Supports creativity and imaginative play
- Inspires collaboration and reduces violence and bullying
- Reduces stress
- Creates feelings of empathy for nature-the first step toward developing the next generation of environmental stewards
- Supports whole-child development and learning across the curriculum including: critical thinking, science, language and literacy, math,visual-spatial learning and construction and engineering skills
Dimensions Foundation research and field-testing provides the foundation for all Nature Explore programs and resources. On-going research and field-testing is conducted at Dimensions Early Education Programs in Lincoln, NE; Child Educational Center/Caltech JPL Community in La Canada, CA; Forest Lake Family Center in Forest Lake, MN, and Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, NE. Other research is collected at selected sites that vary from year-to-year. Teachers, as co-researchers, and a cadre of national research consultants, have been collecting and analyzing data based on direct observations of children since 1998. |
| Photo Courtesy of natureexplore.org |
Through Nature Explore, Certified Nature Explore Classrooms have demonstrated a deep commitment to connecting children with nature. Each one is unique in size, setting and structure, but they have one thing in common: they bring a sense of wonder to children's lives. Click on the links below for stories and photos of each Certified Nature Explore Classroom. More information on the certification process. While N.C. only has one certified program (Estes Children Cottage in Chapel Hill). Many states have multiple certified programs. According to some researchers, this could become a popular alternative to traditional daycare centers in the United States.
To see the full list of Certified schools throughout the U.S and Canada see the link below:
Check out this website for the growing list of global initiatives to fight "nature deficit disorder"
Play England campaigns for all children and young people to have freedom and space to play throughout childhood. We work with national partners, corporates and other organisations with shared aims to raise awareness about the importance of play. We lobby government to make fundamental policy changes to protect and promote play, and encourage everyone who has an impact on the lives of children and young people to recognize and plan for children's play. http://www.playengland.org.uk/
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