Table of Contents

Part 1. Children, Creative Play, and the Natural Environment Children and Childhood. Creative Play. The Natural Environment. Connecting Children and the Natural Environment. Part 2. Designing Special Places for Young Children Design Considerations. Creating an Environmental Yard. One Program’s Story. Checklist for the Outdoor Environment. Part 3. Role of the Adult Provide a Rich Learning Environment. Provide Extended Periods of Uninterrupted Time. Keep the Focus on the Child. Model Desired Attitudes and Behaviors. Interact with the Children in a Positive Way. What Not to Do. Part 4. Fostering Child Development in Natural Settings Domain-Related Skills. Wonder, Creativity, and Imagination. Part 5. Fostering Academic Goals Literacy. Math. Science. Social Studies. Activity/Learning Grid. Summary. Part 6. Special Considerations Benefits of Outdoor Play for All Children. Making Outdoor Play Accessible. Summary. References. Appendix A. Special Places For Young Children Gardening in the Schools. Special Gardens. Appendix B. Additional Resources Publications for Adults. Children’s Books about Gardening. Organizations