My Ultimate Guide to Nature-Based Early Childhood Education

June 16, 2023

Updated: December 28, 2023

Key Points

Definition: Nature-based early childhood education uses the natural environment and outdoor experiences to support learning, development, and exploration in children 0 to 8 years old.

Students participate in an outdoor exploration during a nature-based in an early childhood classroom.

As an early childhood professional, I am excited to share about nature-based early childhood education. Let’s define this type of program and its benefits; the classroom environment and nature-based activities foster a lifelong connection with nature.

What is Nature-based Early Childhood Education?

Nature-based early childhood education incorporates the natural environment and outdoor experiences to support learning, development, and exploration in children 0 to 8 years old.

Nature play and nature-based education are both approaches to engage children in natural environments. However, they have distinct differences.

Nature play focuses on unstructured, child-led exploration in outdoor spaces. Nature-based education curriculum incorporates planned nature-based learning activities alongside nature play. Educators use nature to meet specific developmental and educational goals.

Categories of Nature-Based Early Childhood Education

According to Samara Early Learning, nature-based early learning programs fall into four categories. The programs vary based on children’s and how much time is spent outdoors.

Nature-based early childhood education programs focus on nature activities and outdoor time and serve children from 0 to 8.
Nature-based preschools, or nature preschools, are licensed programs for 3-5-year-olds. About 1/3 of the daily schedule is spent outdoors, and nature is infused into all aspects of the program.
In forest preschools, children spend 70-100% of the day outdoors, with the indoor space primarily serving as a shelter.
Nature-based kindergarten includes daily outdoor time and incorporates nature into classroom learning. Students will learn using nature-based studies and materials.

Benefits of Nature-Based Learning

Physical Development

During nature play, children run, jump, climb, balance, and cross diverse terrains while building strength, coordination, and balance. Playing in big, open spaces also helps children develop body awareness and spatial orientation.

Unstructured time outside gives children a chance to test their abilities without the pressure of achieving any specific goal. Fresh air and sunshine support overall well-being. And a childhood filled with outdoor play builds a foundation for a lifelong active lifestyle.

Language Development

Nature play nurtures language and communication in a sensory-rich environment. Children can use language to describe what they observe and experience while playing. Time outdoors is the perfect opportunity for adults to introduce new vocabulary.

Unstructured time outside also fosters imagination and storytelling. These activities help children develop essential language skills in order to collaborate with others and act out their ideas.

Social-Emotional Development

Playing outside in nature offers a unique opportunity for children to develop social-emotional skills. Children can interact, collaborate, and develop social skills through unstructured outdoor play.

Time in nature supports self-regulation and mental well-being. Children learn to be resilient and build self-confidence as they test their abilities. Nature play promotes empathy as kids develop, observe, and interact with living creatures and the natural world.

Cognitive Development

Nature play is a catalyst for cognitive development in children! While exploring outdoors, children observe patterns in nature, develop problem-solving and reasoning skills, and uncover interconnections between living and non-living things. Nature play also inspires imaginative play while encouraging creativity and cognitive flexibility.

Pinecones sit out for children to explore in an early childhood classroom nature center.

Nature-Based Learning Environments

Nature-based learning environments greatly enhance children’s play and learning. Use the following ideas to foster a deeper connection to nature even indoors:

Incorporate Natural Elements: Bring natural elements into the classroom, such as plants, flowers, stones, seashells, and branches. Use natural materials for furniture, flooring, and decorations whenever possible.
Create Nature Centers: Designate a dedicated area in the classroom for nature exploration. Include books, field guides, magnifying glasses, nature-inspired art materials, and artifacts like feathers, pinecones, or cicada shells.
Use Natural Lighting: Optimize natural lighting by positioning furniture and play areas near windows. Sunlight creates a warm and inviting atmosphere and a connection to the outdoors.
Incorporate Nature-Based Activities: Include nature-based activities in the daily lesson plans, such as nature walks, scavenger hunts, nature-themed process art, outdoor storytelling, nature sensory bins, or gardening projects. Discover more nature-based learning activities later in this article.
Create a Nature Library: Curate a collection of children’s nature-themed books, magazines, and reference materials. Refer to these books during play and place them around the classroom to extend learning.
“You’re right; it is raining. I know there is a great rainy weather book in our library that we can read.”
“That’s a good question. I wonder if we can look at our nature guide and find the answer.”
Collaborate with Families and the Community: Get parents and the community involved with nature events, guest speakers, and nature-based field trips. Create partnerships to promote nature-based learning throughout the community and find ways that families can bring nature-based learning into their homes with nature play and activities.
Professional Development: Look for training opportunities for your early childhood program to deepen your knowledge and skills in nature-based education.

Outdoor Learning Environments

Of course, a quality nature-based learning environment extends outdoors too. Here are ideas to foster a deeper connection to nature while playing outside:

Design Outdoor Spaces: Create an inviting, child-focused outdoor space with natural elements like sand, water, mud, and trees. Children and adults should work together to care for these outdoor spaces and remove trash or broken materials.
Outdoor Learning Centers: Set up playground learning centers for gardening, sensory play, imaginative play, bug observation, nature art, and nature loose parts.
Learning and Exploration Materials: Take nature books, magnifying glasses, flashlights, and other materials outdoors during outside time. Have extra rain boots, ponchos, and gloves so kids can play outside in all weather. Find inspiration to play outside, even in “bad” weather, with these inspiring nature play quotes.

Any childcare classroom can be an enriching and immersive nature-based learning environment. Use these ideas to inspire children’s curiosity and nurture their connection with the natural world.

Incorporating Nature-Based Activities

Nature-based activities should be interactive and encourage curiosity, exploration, and appreciation of nature. Early childhood educators can include interactive nature-based activities in classroom schedules and lesson plans.

Two young children play in mud on their early childhood program's playground.

Nature Loose Parts Center: Encourage open-ended play with a dedicated space for children to explore and manipulate natural objects like leaves, pinecones, shells, and rocks. Learn more in our ultimate loose parts guide.

Plant Studies: Set up plant observation stations for children to learn about plant life cycles, parts of a plant, and different types of plants. Children can learn about planting seeds and caring for plants. Check out even more hands-on plant activities for early learners.

Insect Studies: Provide children with magnifying glasses, bug catchers, and insect identification guides. Children can observe and learn about insects’ characteristics, habitats, and life cycles.

Litter Cleanup: Organize classroom or school-wide litter cleanup activities to teach children about keeping the environment clean and how litter impacts nature.

Cloud Watching: Take children outside to observe and identify different types of clouds. Discuss weather patterns, cloud formations, and their relationship to weather conditions.

Weather Studies: Set up a “weather station” near a classroom window. Take time each day to talk about the weather and even record daily observations on a chart. This is a great way to introduce children to seasons, weather patterns, and weather phenomena.

Nature Sensory Bins: Create an outdoor or indoor space where children can engage in sensory play with mud, water, and sand. Rotate other natural materials such as pine cones, sticks, seashells, stones, and leaves that children can explore.

Plant a Pollinator Garden: Involve children in planning, planting, and caring for a garden with plants that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Nature Object Art: Add nature objects, such as leaves, twigs, and flowers to your art center. Children can create nature-inspired collages, leaf rubbings, or play dough sculptures.

Examples of Nature-Based Early Childhood Curricula

Not all nature-based early childhood programs are the same. There is a wide variety of approaches and curricula used. Here are some of the more common ones:

Forest Schools: An approach that emphasizes regular outdoor experiences in forest environments for children to explore, play, and learn.
Reggio Emilia Approach: A child-centered approach that incorporates nature as a source of inspiration and exploration through art, projects, and observations.
Place-based Education: Connects children with their local environment, fostering an appreciation for ecosystems and engaging in outdoor learning experiences tied to their surroundings.
Permaculture Education: Introduces children to sustainable living, organic gardening, and natural preservation through hands-on experiences.
Nature-Based STEAM Education: Combines nature-based learning with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics concepts.
Farm-to-School Education: Connects children with local farms to teach about food production, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture.

Remember, quality nature-based curricula should be adaptable. Each program should use a nature-based curriculum that supports children’s unique needs, stage of play development, interests, and local environment.

A child's nature-based art activity using paint and plants.

Finding a Nature-Based Early Education Program

To find a nature school in your community, research local schools and organizations with outdoor learning, nature playgrounds, or a nature-based curriculum. Check their websites or contact them to learn more.

You can also reach out to environmental organizations, nature centers, or park services for information or partnerships. Network with parents, educators, or homeschooling organizations community for valuable recommendations. Attend community events or workshops on nature education to connect with educators from nature schools.

Children deserve the chance to immerse themselves in the wonders of the natural world. Early childhood educators can cultivate children’s curiosity, creativity, and connection to the environment using nature-based education. By teaching children to appreciate nature, we instill a lifelong passion for learning and for our planet.