Do you ever wonder what kids do at an outdoor preschool?

---

This book shows preschoolers engaging in a variety of activities at their nature school in the Pacific Northwest.

BUY NOW ON AMAZON

Beautiful photos are accompanied by simple text, perfect for beginning readers! 

Children who appreciate nature are encouraged to be stewards of our planet. Start familiarizing your child with nature while at home by reading through this book. 

What is an outdoor school?

Outdoor preschools are schools that provide early childhood education in an outdoor setting throughout the year, in most weather conditions (unless it’s hazardous, such as a windstorm). Why would parents choose an outdoor preschool for their kids? (No, they are not all hippies!)

​There are many benefits to kids being in nature that are supported by research conducted over the past thirty years, including:

• Advanced motor fitness (coordination, balance, & agility)
• Improvement in health conditions (including ADD) and frequency of sickness
• Reduced stress and the capacity to deal with the stress of life
• Ability to deal with adversity
• Language and collaboration skills
• Positive feelings towards others
• Reasoning and observation skills
• Improved awareness
• Positive environmental ethic
• Diverse and creative play
• Development of imagination and sense of wonder (a motivator for lifelong learning) (Warden, 2010, pp. 13-14).

There are a wide variety of benefits to outdoor schooling, all with the shared goal of helping kids understand and improve themselves, their community, and their environment. 

Angela Hanscom, pediatric occupational therapist and founder of a nature-based development program, shares: “Learning outside provides more opportunities for risk taking, problem solving, moving the whole body, using the imagination, overcoming fears, engaging in teamwork, and tolerating and integrating new sensory experiences” (Hanscom, p. 166).

The director of the Chippewa Nature Center, Rachel Larimore, describes how preschoolers are meeting developmental milestones through nature play: “They’re building cognitive skills like divergent thinking as they generate ideas for the best fort design. They’re building physical skills like balance, coordination, and endurance as they climb over rocks, carry logs, and hike trails. They’re building social and emotional skills while working with their peers and problem solving” (p. 16).

In addition, Erin Kenny of Cedarsong Nature School pushes us to think beyond traditional expectations for preschoolers, reminding us of the value of learning to bond with a place, connect with the rhythm of nature, relax and reset our bodies outside of the stresses of modern society (and technology), and the exhilaration of losing track of (linear) time while in nature (p. 6).

These are just some of the reasons why outdoor schools are rapidly increasing in popularity across the globe!

What are parents saying about this book?

"What a wonderful portrayal of children in a natural environment having such great fun together."

"This is so beautiful Kendall! What sweet captures of moments in the forest!"

​"I think this is amazing! I love your style. The photos fit the themes perfectly."

Nature Play is now available as a paperback on Amazon!

I want this book!

Dr. Kendall Becherer
Kendall is an author, photographer, teacher, and learning scientist, with a degree in educational psychology from the University of Washington. She is passionate about investigating how both children and adults learn. Kendall loves thinking about ways to help families naturally integrate their children in their everyday activities, such as preparing food, enjoying the outdoors, and learning to play music. Her books are written to be shared by an adult and child, to facilitate learning as well as relationship building. Read more about Kendall's involvement in Nature Schooling activities here. 

---