Noah’s Ark Playschool
Shape NC NLI Noah’s Ark Playschool Noah’s Ark Playschool in Asheboro, NC has added an additional two feet onto their existing three-foot wide primary pathway, to allow children to pass one another. Imaginative play abounds with grass mounds. The center also...
Creative Kids Preschool
Shape NC NLI Creative Kids Preschool Creative Kids Preschool has diversified their outdoor learning environment with a variety of different play and learning settings. They have added a mud kitchen with large workbench and storage bins, a teepee, and a sand play...
Childcare Network, Inc. #146
Shape NC NLI Childcare Network, Inc. #146 Childcare Network #146, located in Archdale, NC, has transformed their outdoor area into a natural learning environment with a variety of opportunities for engagement. The center first changed some internal fence lines to...
Level Cross Enrichment Center
Shape NC NLI Level Cross Enrichment Center North Asheboro Head Start in Asheboro, NC has transformed a mulch-covered asphalt parking lot into a diverse, engaging outdoor learning environment (OLE). A painted primary pathway defines the OLE and loops around an...
Liberty Elementary School Pre-K
Shape NC NLI Liberty Elementary School Pre-K Liberty Elementary School Pre-K, located in Liberty, NC, transformed an open field into an outdoor learning environment (OLE) for their pre-k students. They added a large double-looped primary pathway around existing play...
Honeycomb Kids
Shape NC NLI Honeycomb Kids Honeycomb Kids, located at Hopewell Elementary School in Trinity, NC, created an engaging new outdoor learning environment in an unused open grassy area. A large, double-looped primary pathway weaves throughout the space to connect various...
The Kids of Hope Child Care Center
Shape NC NLI The Kids of Hope Child Care Center The Kids of Hope Child Care Center in Asheboro, NC has completely transformed their asphalt toddler area into a comfortable and vibrant outdoor learning environment through the addition of artificial turf, a low...
It’s A Kid’s World Preschool
Shape NC NLI It’s A Kid’s World Preschool It’s a Kid’s World in Randleman, NC, added a primary pathway loop onto an existing walkway, and extended secondary gravel pathways through their wooded space to create a sense of exploration and adventure. They...
The Necessity of Urban Green Space for Children’s Optimal Development
NLI The Necessity of Urban Green Space for Children’s Optimal Development “Green spaces can significantly benefit children’s physical, mental and social development – from infancy into adulthood,” according to UNICEF’s recently released discussion paper...
Active and Healthy Environments for Adolescents (AHEAD)
Research NLI Active and Healthy Environments for Adolescents (AHEAD) Childhood obesity is one of the pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. In India, almost half of children and youth do not meet recommended physical activity and sedentary behavior...
NLI Newsletter – October 2021
Passing the NLI Baton > Robin Moore to Deepti Adlakha
NLI leads outdoor learning environment component since 2018.
Online Short Courses
Ongoing Research (AHEAD)
Preschool Toolkit
Necessity of Urban Green Space
NLI Newsletter – September 2021
The Healthy Starts for Infants and Toddlers project has been completed!
Improving outdoor spaces for infants and toddlers.
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments
ACCESS SKiP Call
Online Short Courses
Natural Learning at Home® September
Developing an Earth-bound Culture
Publications NLI Developing an Earth-bound Culture Author: Moore, Robin, and Cosco, Nilda Download The PDF - English Remember your childhood adventures in the backyard or nearby park? Remember the way that a day spent playing outdoors in fresh air and sunlight, in...
NLI Newsletter – August 2021
Live broadcast to NatStart2021
Broadcasting from NLI Demonstration Site, A Safe Place, Raleigh, July 27, as part of the fabulous international field trip series.
Highlight: OLE! Texas
Elements that Make a Perfect Playground
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments
Natural Learning at Home® August
Cari Browning from Department of State Health Services (DSHS) talks About OLE! Texas
NLI Cari Browning from Department of State Health Services (DSHS) talks About OLE! Texas On April 6th Cari Browning sat down with Sarah Coles, Texas Children in Nature Network Executive Director, to talk about the OLE! Texas initiative and how it is creating...
NLI Newsletter – July 2021
Learning with Nature: an Educational Imperative
Montessori school communities lead outdoor education.
The Oakland Declaration
New Online Short Courses
Natural Learning at Home® July
NLI Newsletter – June 2021
Welcome The New NLI Director, Deepti Adlakha!
Founding Director Robin Moore enters phased retirement.
New Outdoor Play and Learning Environment!
Happy Father’s Day!
Newly Released InfoSheets!
Natural Learning at Home® June
St. Johns Lutheran Church Child Development Center
Project NLI St. Johns Lutheran Church Child Development Center In April 2021, the Child Development Center, St. Johns Lutheran Church, Salisbury, North Carolina, opened its new outdoor play and learning environment designed by NLI, with spaces serving infants through...
Child in Nature Video
NLI Child in Nature Video Thomas Berry, Robin Moore, Nimal Vaz (2006) The Child In Nature, 2006, features Robin Moore discussing NLI’s approach to the Montessori philosophy of outdoor design and the spatial transition between indoors and outdoors. Also featured are...
Guided by Nature
Montessori NLI Guided by Nature NAMTA Journal Download The PDF - English The Guided by Nature theme for the Portland 2013 Congress reads, “The 2013 International Montessori Congress will allow us to look closer at how Montessori education is guided by children’s...
Greening Montessori School Grounds by Design
Publications NLI Greening Montessori School Grounds by Design Authors: Moore, Robin, & Cosco, Nilda. Download the PDF Article authors Moore and Cosco see the Montessori approach to the prepared environment as overlapping their understanding of the naturalization...
Sensory Integration and Contact with Nature: Designing Outdoor Inclusive Environments
This article brings to the layperson the language of designing outdoor environments for a wide variety of special needs. Montessorians will notice correlations between the designers’ professional vocabulary and Montessori concepts.
Designing School Grounds to Integrate Nature, Learning, and Health
NLI Children and youth have a legal obligation to attend school. School environments, especially public schools, should be designed and managed for this special population as high-quality environmental equalizers for students from a range of socio-economic...
Designing School Grounds to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child and Whole Curriculum
Publications NLI Designing School Grounds to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child and Whole Curriculum Author: Moore, Robin. Download the PDF - English “Outdoor Settings for Playing and Learning: Designing School Grounds to Meet the Needs of the Whole Child and...
Place, Pedagogy, and Play – Foreword
Montessori NLI Place, Pedagogy, and Play – Foreword Author: Moore, Robin. Download The PDF - English When children play, do they learn? “Yes;’ would be the expected answer from child development experts and early childhood educators, and hopefully,...
Healthy Planet, Healthy Children: Designing Nature into Childhood
Publications NLI Healthy Planet, Healthy Children: Designing Nature into Childhood Authors: Moore, Robin & Cooper Marcus, Clare. Download the PDF Although the epidemics and infectious diseases targeted by public health agencies during the last 130 years have...
The Need for Nature-A Childhood Right
Publications NLI The Need for Nature-A Childhood Right Authors: Moore, Robin Download the PDF - English The Need for Nature enumerates recent factors restricting access to the outdoors, including motorized traffic, parental fears, lack of space and time, and others,...
Natural Learning – Once Upon A Yard
Publications NLI Natural Learning – Once Upon A Yard Authors: Moore, Robin; & Wong, Herb. Download the PDF We took a fragment of the Earth’s surface, where nonhuman life was extinct, and through design demonstrated the power of nature to restore...
Children Gardening – First Steps Towards a Sustainable Future
Publications NLI Children Gardening – First Steps Towards a Sustainable Future Author: Moore, Robin. Download The PDF - English Children’s gardening is introduced within the broader frame of reference of sustainable development, regenerative design, and...
NLI Newsletter – May 2021
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate Course!
Summer 2021 registration open!
NLI Exhibition
Happy Mother’s Day!
Newly Released InfoSheets!
Natural Learning at Home® May
Artsteps NLI Exhibition
We are happy to announce that the Design Institute will be held virtually on March 25-26, 2021.
Earth Day 2021
NLI Earth Day 2021 Join us in celebrating Earth Day! It is a great opportunity to pause and enjoy nature as we ponder new ways to take care of our planet. Create a space to socialize outdoors or find new and inventive ways to upcycle items. Both the inspiring New York...
NLI Newsletter – April 2021
20th Anniversary Design Institute
Virtual event saved 41.4 metric tons.
NLI Exhibition
Robin Moore Honored by NC State University
Happy Earth Day!
Natural Learning at Home® April
Robin Moore, NLI Director, is honored by NC State University and the U.S. Play Coalition
NLI Robin Moore, NLI Director, is honored by NC State University and the U.S. Play Coalition Robin is a recipient of the 2020-2021 Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence, the highest academic honor bestowed by the NC State Board of Trustees for outstanding...
20th Anniversary NLI Design Institute
We are happy to announce that the Design Institute will be held virtually on March 25-26, 2021.
NLI Newsletter – March 2021
Register for “Re-Naturing Urban Childhood: Making Friends with Planet Earth” by May 23rd!
Virtual event celebrates 20th Anniversary Design Institute.
NC State Day of Giving
National Plant Database
John Fritz Talks Design
Natural Learning at Home® March
National Play Value Plant Database
The database is an exciting, unique resource allowing users to select plants by their play value, like those that promote sensory attributes, attract butterflies or birds, provide “loose parts” for play, or a host of other playful traits. (in addition to commonly found criteria like zone, height, growth habits, etc.) It’s a fantastic tool for landscape architects, park administrators, nature-focused organizations, schools, and anyone who wants to promote rich and diverse play and recreation experiences for children and families.
NLI Newsletter – February 2021
Re-Naturing Urban Childhood: Making Friends with Planet Earth
20th Anniversary Design Institute celebration with global leaders
Register for the Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate Course
Newly Released InfoSheets!
Save The Date For The 20th Anniversary NLI Design Institute
Natural Learning at Home® February
Celebrate Black History Month!
Nature’s Bounty
NLI Newsletter – January 2021
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments Certificate Course!
Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments certificate registration is now open!
Newly Released InfoSheets!
20th Anniversary Design Institute
Natural Learning at Home® January
Ice Painting
Enjoying Nature’s Bounty
