Natural Playground
Research has found the following
benefits of natural playgrounds:
Children
with views of and contact with nature score higher on tests
of concentration and self-discipline.
Play within a natural environment is
more creative and imaginative which fosters language
development.
Exposure to nature improves
children’s cognitive development by improving awareness,
reasoning and observation skills.
Play in outdoor environments are
important to children’s development of independence and
autonomy.
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Natural environments stimulate social interaction between children.
Natural learning experiences that are fostered on the Field of Dreams playground:
Infants:
Experience daily weather/climate changes
Explore various textures- grass, mulch, flowers, etc.
Further development of gross motor skills
Stimulation of all senses
Toddler:
Opportunities to develop coordination- hand-eye, gross motor
Natural setting to develop whole child; social, emotional, physical and cognitive
Life skills for caring for plants and animal life
Decision making skills
Expressing themselves creatively
Exploring water/dirt/sand/grass and its characteristics
Preschool:
Life experience raising plants/crops
Teamwork and problem solving skills
Continued growth of motor skills through play and real life experiences
Heightened observation and documentation skills of changes within nature
Creative expression through dramatic play
Cause and effect skills
Respect for all creatures in nature
The
benefits listed above are just a few of the skills your children
are developing on a daily basis here at Field of Dreams.
Your children are more intellectually engaged in a natural
playground setting where they are the ones creating their own
play and learning opportunities, as opposed to a large climbing
structure that is designed to only foster gross motor skills.
We have had several teachers attend conferences specifically focusing on creating natural playgrounds for children, and they have provided a great amount of input and ideas that we have implemented on our playgrounds. They have visited natural playgrounds and brought back wonderful ideas that we are continuously working on to add to our playgrounds.
Our Schools
"The natural playground and state-of-the art learning tools in each classroom are a huge hit with our children."The Saffo Family
Children ages 2 and 4
