Outdoor Experiences for Infants and Toddlers
Outdoor play supports infant and toddler health, development, and learning. Explore strategies and standards for strengthening young children's connection to the outdoors while keeping them safe.
Learning Environments
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.
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.
Considerations for Creating Safe and Stimulating Outdoor Play Spaces
Find out what makes good outdoor play spaces for infants and toddlers and explore guidelines for designing them.
Benefits of Outdoor Play and Exploration
Explore four benefits of outdoor play and exploration for infants and toddlers: improved health; strengthened development and learning; connection to nature; and extended curriculum.
Supporting Outdoor Play and Exploration for Infants and Toddlers
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.
The Current State of Outdoor Play and Exploration in the United States
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.
Outdoor Play Benefits
Learn about some of the health benefits and get ideas for fun outdoor activities!
Outside Time for Infants and Toddlers
The News You Can Use supports teachers, home visitors, and parents in providing quality care for infants and toddlers. Learn about planning for time spent outside with infants and toddlers in your program.
Nature-Based Learning and Development for Administrators
Learn how to use the natural world as a learning tool to improve outcomes for young children in your center.
Nature-based Learning and Development
Nature play is important for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, families, staff, and communities. Watch this video series, and apply the resources to plan successful nature-based activities.