Streets as Playgrounds
Research NLI Streets as Playgrounds Author: Moore, Robin. Great differences exist between adults and children in their perception and use of the outdoor environment. One of the greatest relates to residential streets. To adults, streets are functional resources: the...
Natural Learning
Publications NLI Natural Learning Authors: Moore, Robin; & Wong, Herb. Download the PDF This chapter in Robin Moore and Herb Wong’s 1997 book Natural Learning, examines children’s decline in physical activity being seen in the industrialized world and...
Playgrounds at the Crossroads: Policy and Action Research Needed to Ensure a Viable Future for Public Playgrounds
Research NLI Playgrounds at the Crossroads: Policy and Action Research Needed to Ensure a Viable Future for Public Playgrounds Author: Moore, Robin. This book chapter, written by Robin Moore, provides a perspective on the state of public playgrounds at the time of...
Exploring Childhood Territories
Research NLI Exploring Childhood Territories Author: Moore, Robin. Chapter three from Robin Moore’s book Childhood’s Domain: Play and Place in Child Development explores two aspects of children’s continuity of behavior in the field. First is what one...
Childhood Outdoors: Toward a Social Ecology of the Landscape
Research NLI Childhood Outdoors: Toward a Social Ecology of the Landscape Authors: Moore, Robin; & Young, Donald. In the urban environment, the creation of childhood places cannot be left to chance or the vagaries of pressure groups; they must be deliberately...
Nature Play at Home
Publications NLI Nature Play at Home Author: Natural Learning Initiative Download the Guide Developed by the Natural Learning Initiative and the National Wildlife Federation, this guide shows easy, affordable ways you can turn your backyard or other types of domestic...
Growing Up Green: Naturalization as a Health Promotion Strategy
Research NLI Growing Up Green: Naturalization as a Health Promotion Strategy Authors: Moore, Robin; & Cosco, Nilda. Using a socio-bio-ecological, “one health” conceptual framework, Preventing Obesity by Design (POD) is presented as a system-wide health promotion...
Climbing Stones and Boulders
The Green Desk NLI Climbing Stones and Boulders Do stones and boulders used for climbing need a use zone? Larger stones and boulders can be used as a kind of climbing equipment. Climbing stones more than 18 inches above the ground surface should meet standard use...
Starting Seeds in the Spring
The Green Desk NLI Starting Seeds in the Spring When should I start seeds indoors so they are ready to transplant outdoors in the spring? The best time to start seeds is based on the last spring frost date for your area minus the length of time required for seeds to...
Sunflower Houses
The Green Desk NLI Sunflower Houses What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?Sunflower houses are one of the many easy and cost effective ways to improve an outdoor learning environment.Sunflower seeds + garden soil + sun...
Log Seats
The Green Desk NLI Log Seats What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank? Log seats are an easy and cost effective way to improve an outdoor learning environment. Sliced segments of logs = instant gathering space, council...
Installing a Rain Barrel
The Green Desk NLI Installing a Rain Barrel How can I harvest rainwater to use for watering plants? Children enjoy watering plants with rainwater collected in rain barrels using child-sized watering cans and buckets. Watering plants with harvested rainwater saves...
Sittable Stones and Boulders
The Green Desk NLI Sittable Stones and Boulders What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?Stones and boulders are one of many easy and cost effective ways to improve an outdoor learning environment.Large stones = instant...
Summer Play: Beat the Heat
The Green Desk NLI Summer Play: Beat the Heat What are some tips for safe summer play? Drink Water Make drinking water easily accessible for children and staff. Remind all children to drink water while outdoors. Take a water cooler out to the outdoor learning...
Infant and Toddler Pathway Materials
The Green Desk NLI Infant and Toddler Pathway Materials What materials are appropriate for infant and toddler pathways?Infant spaceInfant spaces do not require a pathway for push toys. We suggest a small space with undulating lawn, pull up bars and glider or rocking...
Embankment Slides
The Green Desk NLI Embankment Slides How would you recommend installing an embankment slide?Slide Installation: Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper installation of the slide. NLI defers to the manufacturer’s recommendations on...
Tree Cookies for Play and Learning
The Green Desk NLI Tree Cookies for Play and Learning What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?Tree cookies are a simple, affordable, and effective way to improve an outdoor learning environment. They afford a variety of...
Natural Building
The Green Desk NLI Natural Building What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?Adding a natural building play area to an outdoor learning environment is an easy and inexpensive way to diversify free play.Any assortment of...
Natural Playhouse
The Green Desk NLI Natural Playhouse What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank?Built from locally sourced logs, branches, and sticks, Natural Playhouses are an affordable and creative alternative to the playhouses one...
Raised Planters: Timber Construction
The Green Desk NLI Raised Planters: Timber Construction What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank? Raised planters, and the gardens that grow within them, are one of the many affordable ways to improve an outdoor learning...
Safely Installing Planters on Asphalt
The Green Desk NLI Safely Installing Planters on Asphalt Is it safe to grow edible plants in a raised planter installed directly on asphalt? If soil is in direct contact with the asphalt, toxins may leach into the soil and be absorbed by the roots, so it would not be...
Naturalizing Chain link Fences
The Green Desk NLI Naturalizing Chain link Fences How can chain link fences be naturalized with vines? For safety and supervision reasons, childcare centers have fences along the perimeters of their outdoor learning environments. The vast majority of these fences are...
Reducing Mosquitoes
The Green Desk NLI Reducing Mosquitoes How can we reduce the number of mosquitoes in our outdoor learning environment? Most important – eliminate standing water All mosquitoes require standing water to breed and some species only require 4 days to reach maturity. ...
Reducing bothersome stinging insects
The Green Desk NLI Reducing bothersome stinging insects How can I reduce the number of bothersome stinging insects?Yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps are all members of the wasp family. Although wasps are not efficient pollinators, they are useful for pest...
Bees, Wasps, and Other Pollinators
The Green Desk NLI Bees, Wasps, and Other Pollinators Will a naturalized outdoor learning environment attract bees and other stinging insects? The short answer is “yes” if it contains flowering, nectar-producing plants. Any vegetated area provides habitat for animal...
Preventing stings
The Green Desk NLI Preventing stings How can I help prevent stings from bees and other insects?The best way to help prevent stings is to establish proper ways to interact with insects. Bees are most likely to sting when they are near their hive and feel threatened. ...
Primary Pathways
The Green Desk NLI Primary Pathways What is a primary pathway? Primary pathways are a functional necessity in childcare outdoor learning environments and promote physical activity by facilitating walking, running, chase games, and wheeled toy use (riding, pushing,...
Harvesting and Eating Sunflower Seeds
The Green Desk NLI Harvesting and Eating Sunflower Seeds I’ve noticed the birds are eating the seeds from our sunflowers growing in our child care center. Can the children eat them too? The birds are attracted to sunflowers in your garden because they benefit from...
Wildflower Patch
The Green Desk NLI Wildflower Patch What are some ways to improve an outdoor learning environment without breaking the bank? Wildflower patches are a simple, one-season way to brighten your outdoor learning environment with flowers. Always beautiful (although not...
Natural Materials for Play and Learning
The Green Desk NLI Natural Materials for Play and Learning What natural materials can be used outdoors? Natural materials, or natural loose parts, afford an array of open-ended play and learning opportunities, such as building, sorting, counting, and dramatic play....
Primary Pathway Layout
The Green Desk NLI Primary Pathway Layout What steps are involved in laying out a primary pathway? Laying out a pathway can seem complicated and overwhelming. Following the provided steps should simplify the process and produce a more successful result. This post...
Installing Stepping Stones
The Green Desk NLI Installing Stepping Stones How can I install a stepping stone pathway?Stepping stones are an effective and durable material used for creating pathways. They can be installed linearly to create secondary pathways or used in mass to create patios or...
Autumn Leaves for Play and Learning
The Green Desk NLI Autumn Leaves for Play and Learning Do you have any activities for young children about leaves changing color in the fall? The changing color of the autumn leaves is a great opportunity for exploring science, art and literacy with young children. If...
Raising Funds and Resources for Outdoor Learning Environments
The Green Desk NLI Raising Funds and Resources for Outdoor Learning Environments How can I raise funds to naturalize our child care center’s outdoor learning environment? Naturalizing your center’s outdoor learning environment (OLE) by adding trees, shrubs, flowers,...
Autumn Children’s Books and Outdoor Play
The Green Desk NLI Autumn Children’s Books and Outdoor Play I need some inspiration for creative autumn outdoor play. Any suggestions? Autumn is a magical time of year. Leaves change to brilliant yellows, oranges and reds. An abundance of natural loose parts...
More on Physical Activity with Diane Craft
The Green Desk NLI More on Physical Activity with Diane Craft Where can I find the resources for increasing physical activity levels that Dr. Diane Craft highlighted during her presentation at the Design Institute? At the 9th Annual Natural Learning Design Institute,...
Selecting, Installing, and Managing Plants
The Green Desk NLI Selecting, Installing, and Managing Plants How do I select, arrange, purchase, and manage plants for my outdoor learning environment? For a comprehensive guide to selecting, installing, and managing plants in landscapes designed for children and...
Winter Play and Learning Outdoors
The Green Desk NLI Winter Play and Learning Outdoors As winter temperatures drop, time off from usual childcare/school and work routines can increase opportunities to enjoy outdoor play and learning activities, with different clothing requirements. The end-of-year...
