This measure evaluates the outdoor environment that allows children to care for living things and appreciate nature. The classroom or center must have outdoor spaces with elements such as natural grass, trees, shrubbery, or dirt, that encourage children to play and interact with nature. The outdoor spaces may include trees, plants, rocks, wooden stumps, wind chimes, animal observation nooks, pebbles, grass, and sand. Artificial plants, rubber mulch, and other manufactured replicas of nature are not included.
Examples
In this section you will find videos, images, and/or documents that can be used to better understand this measure. These examples can also be used in conversations between mentors, directors, and/or teachers to discuss how the program's current practices compare to these examples.
Practice Opportunities
These resources include tips, strategies, activities, or specific tools related to this measure that programs can put into practice.
