Strategies for Maximizing Outdoor Learning Opportunities for Infants and Toddlers
Programs serving infants and toddlers should consider ways to facilitate and strengthen adult engagement with outdoor play and exploration.
Learning environments are nurturing spaces that support the development of all young children. They include classrooms, play spaces, areas for caregiving routines, and outdoor areas. Learning environments are well-organized and managed settings. They offer developmentally appropriate schedules, lesson plans, and indoor and outdoor chances for choice, play, exploration, and experimentation. Learning environments include age-appropriate equipment, materials, and supplies. They integrate home cultures and are flexible to support the changing ages, interests, and characteristics of a group of children over time. In home-based programs, the learning environment includes the home, community, and group socialization spaces.
Programs serving infants and toddlers should consider ways to facilitate and strengthen adult engagement with outdoor play and exploration.
Find out what makes good outdoor play spaces for infants and toddlers and explore guidelines for designing them.
Explore four benefits of outdoor play and exploration for infants and toddlers: improved health; strengthened development and learning; connection to nature; and extended curriculum.
Learn about benefits of outdoor time for infants and toddlers. Find suggestions for creating outdoor play spaces, safety considerations, and strategies and policies to support quality infant-toddler programming.
Research shows young children are spending less time outdoors engaging in active play and exploring the natural world. This trend has significant adverse effects on young children's health and development.
Selecting a type of feeding chair depends on the program option and children's ages and stages. This tip sheet guides decisions about which feeding chairs to use and how to use them appropriately.
Learning environments are everywhere. They include the home, outdoors, classrooms, and more. Discover ways to use the environment to support all children's school readiness.
Learn more about continuity of care. Find out how it can support young children’s development. Explore why using it in your program can help build better relationships between children, families, and their teachers.
In this episode of Teacher Time, learn how teachers and family child care providers can create and support positive, safe learning environments for preschoolers.
Find out how engaging and responsive learning environments help infants and toddlers achieve school readiness.