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.
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.
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.
Use of Feeding Chairs with Trays in Head Start Infant/Toddler Programs
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.
Continuity of Care Podcast
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.
Using Materials Found in the Home in Head Start Home-Based Programs
In this tip sheet, learn how to help parents use their home as their child’s learning environment. Explore ways to choose materials found in the home to support children’s development and learning.
Socializations and Field Trips in Head Start Home-Based Programs
Explore this tip sheet to find information and strategies for offering field trips as part of group socialization experiences.
Socialization Environments in Head Start Home-Based Programs
Use this tip sheet to learn ways to set up appropriate group socialization environments for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.
Continuity of Care
Center-based programs can use these resources to support decisions about implementing continuity of care and choosing the best type for their program.