Resources

Risk and Reward of Nature Play. GreenHearts, Inc., 4 p. Greenhearts_RiskRewardNaturePlay_4p_2012

Reinforcing the Thin Green Line: Are New Approaches to Nature Play Forging Powerful Bonds with Nature? GreenHearts, Inc., 5 p. GreenHearts_ThinGreenLine_In-withNature_5p_2012

The Natural Learning Initiative www.naturalearning.org

Let the Children Play www.letthechildrenplay.net

Little Eco Footprints www.littleecofootprints.com

The Children & Nature Network www.ChildrenandNature.org

The National Wildlife Federation Connecting Kids and Nature: https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature

Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-ee5-04.pdf

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Kids http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/dnrkids/index.html

Nature Explore www.natureexplore.org

Nature Play & Learning Places, Creating and managing places where children engage with nature; Robin Moore with Allen Cooper

National Guidelines created through a partnership between the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Learning Initiative to bring nature play and learning to every community. For those who create, manage, or promote the development of nature in the everyday environments of children, youth, and families, especially in urban/suburban communities. https://natureplayandlearningplaces.org/

Design Principles for Nature Play Spaces. GreenHearts, Inc., 10 p. GreenHearts_DesignPrinciplesNaturePlay_10p_2009

Pathways for Play: Best Practice Guidelines. Playcore, Inc. and The Natural Learning Initiative, North Carolina State University. 2009. Raleigh, NC: Order for free at: https://www.playcore.com/programs/pathways-for-play

Link to publications and websites for designing nature spaces for unstructured outdoor play, http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/design/

25 Easy Nature Play Ideas for Early Childhood Centers. GreenHearts, Inc., 2 p. Greenhearts_25NaturePlayIdeas_Preschool_2p_2010

Growing up Wild: Exploring Nature with Young Children. Council on Environmental Education. 2012, Houston, TX, 128 p. To order visit: https://www.fishwildlife.org/projectwild/growing-wild/resources

I Love Dirt!, Jennifer Ward, 2008, Boston: Trumpeter, 153 p., 52 activities for children under 5

Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth http://www.redleafpress.org/Early-Childhood-Activities-for-a-Greener-Earth-P771.aspx

Connecting Animals and Children in Early Childhood http://www.redleafpress.org/Connecting-Animals-and-Children-in-Early-Childhood-e-book-P1176.aspx

Nature and Early Childhood, Mark Whitney, Ph.D., MiraCosta College, Report of Sabbatical Research Project, 2012

The Preschool Outdoor Environment Measurement Scale (POEMS), https://naturalearning.org/preschool-outdoor-environment-measurement-scale-poems. An assessment tool and self-study to measure the quality of outdoor play and learning environments for children 3-5 years old. To order visit: https://www.kaplanco.com/store/trans/productDetailForm.asp?CatID=29%7COL1030%7C0&PID=39502

Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-ee5-04.pdf

For a model of an after-school program, see OutdoorExplore!, San Diego Audubon Society OutdoorExplore! https://www.sandiegoaudubon.org/what-we-do/education/outdoor-explore-and-habitat-helpers.html

Roots and Shoots (national) www.rootsandshoots.org

Kids Eco Clubs (local) www.kidsecoclub.org

Short nature activities for after-school and youth programs, Nature2Go Activities http://sdchildrenandnature.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/IntoNature_Nature2GoExcerpts_OntarioCA_38p_2012.pdf

Let’s Go Outside! Outdoor Activities and Projects to Get You and Your Kids Closer to Nature. https://www.shambhala.com/let-s-go-outside.html

Early Childhood Activities for a Greener Earth http://www.redleafpress.org/Early-Childhood-Activities-for-a-Greener-Earth-P771.aspx

How to Raise a Wild Child https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mind-reviews-how-to-raise-a-wild-child/

Nature Clubs for Families http://www.childrenandnature.org/initiatives/families/