Introducing Free Preschool Lesson Plans from Nature of Early Play!
At Nature of Early Play, we’re passionate about inspiring children to learn through play. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new, free educational lesson plans! Designed specifically for teachers and homeschool groups, these plans meet state learning targets for early childhood education.
What We Offer with Our Preschool Lesson Plans:
- Tailored Lessons: Our lesson plans cover a diverse range of topics, from music to STEM, ensuring that every interest is catered for.
- Versatility: While our playground equipment is highly recommended to enhance the learning experience, each early childhood lesson plan can be used independently.
- State-Aligned: All plans are crafted to meet state learning targets, providing you with a valuable resource to complement your curriculum.
The Benefits of Outdoor Lessons for Young Minds
The days of confining young children to indoor classrooms are slowly phasing out. Today, educators and parents recognize outdoor education’s immense benefits, especially for young learners. At Nature of Early Play, we are passionate about transforming traditional learning environments into dynamic, engaging outdoor classrooms.
Our Recycled Structural Plastic outdoor classroom furniture is designed to withstand all weather conditions and provide a sustainable, safe, and functional place for toddlers and preschoolers. Let’s explore the myriad benefits and practical ways to incorporate outdoor lessons into early childhood education:
Promoting Mental Health
One of the most significant benefits of educational outdoor activities is the positive impact on mental health. Research has shown that being in nature can decrease symptoms of ADHD in some children. Additionally, spending time outdoors reduces stress levels in both children and educators. This serene environment allows young minds to relax, focus better, and engage more deeply with their learning materials.
Improving Physical Health
Outdoor education isn’t just good for the mind; it’s great for the body, too. When toddlers and preschoolers participate in outdoor play, they enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle. Walking and exploring the great outdoors help promote healthy physical well-being and the development of gross motor skills. The fresh air and natural light also contribute to overall health, making outdoor learning a holistic experience.
Enhancing Cognitive Skills
Studies have shown that outdoor learning can significantly improve brain development and cognitive skills. Children who learn in outdoor settings often have better standardized test scores, more positive attitudes toward school, improved in-school behavior, and higher attendance rates. Overall, these children achieve more in their academic careers.
The Joy of Learning Outdoors
It’s important to present education in a fun way, especially for young children. Our lesson plans put a fun twist on addressing learning objectives. Being outdoors often excites children about science and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. The natural environment is a vast, interactive classroom where young minds can explore, experiment, and learn firsthand about the world around them.
The freedom to move around, the sensory experiences, and the dynamic learning environment can turn any potentially boring lesson into a fun activity. This “fun factor” is crucial to fostering a lifelong love of learning, and from all the tiny tots we’ve surveyed, our educational playground equipment is fantastically fun!
Why Lesson Plans Are Essential
While there is a rampant misconception that preschool and kindergarten classrooms are simply places for children to play with minimal targeted instruction, any educator knows how much thought goes into helping these children learn.
Preschool lesson plans provide teachers with a framework to organize their teaching methods and outcomes. These plans are crucial for developing engaging content and activities that promote healthy growth and development in young children. An effective lesson plan helps teachers prepare children with the critical skills they’ll need for kindergarten and beyond.
Our Process For Developing Preschool Lesson Plans
If you’re wondering how our team at Nature of Early Play goes about developing these outdoor activities for kids, here’s a little insight into our process:
Step 1: Identify Learning Goals
We start by identifying your preschoolers’ and kindergarteners’ learning goals. We then consider what skills and knowledge they need to develop to be ready for elementary school according to state educational standards.
Step 2: Plan Engaging Activities
Next, we plan activities using our playground equipment that are engaging and relevant to the learning goals. Our goal is to incorporate a mix of individual and group activities, hands-on learning experiences, and outdoor exploration.
Step 3: Promoting Learning And Play
We design our infant and toddler playground equipment for both structured learning and free play. While structured lesson plans are important, scientific evidence also supports the importance of unstructured play.
More Outdoor Activities For Preschoolers
For more engaging outdoor activities, look at our comprehensive article on getting started with early childhood outdoor learning. Here, you’ll find ideas for getting the most out of an educational nature walk and other engaging sensory play experiences. You’ll also find guidance for starting your own outdoor classroom space.
Discover the Benefits of Outdoor Learning for Early Childhood
Children naturally have a lot of energy, and outdoor play provides the perfect opportunity to channel it constructively. But outdoor activities are more than just a way to release energy—they can also be powerful educational experiences. Educators can create engaging and meaningful lessons that connect children with nature by aligning outdoor play with preschool learning objectives.
Besides boosting engagement, outdoor activities offer numerous physical, social-emotional, intellectual, and mental health benefits, making them indispensable for preschool education.
Physical Benefits
- Reduced Screen Time: Outdoor learning decreases screen time, lowering the risk of nearsightedness and obesity.
- Enhanced Physical Activity: Activities like climbing, running, and jumping strengthen children’s hearts, lungs, and muscles.
- Vitamin D Production: Safe sunlight exposure helps children produce vitamin D, promoting healthy bone growth.
- Physical Development: Educational playground equipment like our Gears Panel, which requires small grasping movements, aids in the development of fine motor skills.
Social-Emotional Benefits
- Improved Social Skills: Outdoor play-based learning teaches essential social skills like sharing and turn-taking and helps children form healthy relationships.
- Better Sleep and Moods: Learning in nature can improve sleep patterns and overall mood - and this goes for the teachers, too!
- Sense of Responsibility: Spending time among plants, animals, and insects fosters a sense of environmental consciousness in young ones.
Cognitive Benefits
- Practical Application: Children can apply classroom concepts to hands-on experiences, which helps students to generalize the lessons in a broader context.
- Imagination and Problem-Solving: Outdoor play encourages creativity and problem-solving skills as children encounter novel situations.
Features of Our Outdoor Education Activities:
Like our infant and toddler playground equipment, Nature of Early Play lesson plans are thoughtfully created with your kids in mind.
Developed by Licensed Educators
At Nature of Early Play, we pride ourselves on the quality and educational value of all our offerings. These fun outdoor activities are created by licensed educators with the expertise and training to design pedagogically sound resources aligned with curriculum standards. Their experience enables them to anticipate student needs and adapt instructional methods to various learning styles. Moreover, lesson plans from licensed educators incorporate evidence-based strategies, promoting effective learning outcomes. By relying on these expertly crafted plans, schools can provide a consistent and comprehensive educational experience, fostering student growth and achievement.
Adaptable for Various Learning Environments
While designed to complement Nature of Early Play playground products, these outdoor learning activities can be applied in a range of settings. If you’re new to the idea of outdoor learning, take a look at our article about the Advantages of Outdoor Classrooms for Schools. For more outdoor classroom ideas, look at our comprehensive line of musical equipment, tables, whiteboards, and activity boards.
Wide Range of Topics
You’d be amazed at the breadth of subjects that can be covered on the playground! Our current outdoor education can be used for teaching children:
- Art
- English and Language Arts
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
- Music
- Social Studies, including Native American Studies
Community and Environmental Impact
Nature of Early Play’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in our recycled playground equipment and educational initiatives. By offering these lesson plans to complement our playground equipment, Nature of Early Play supports educators in fostering an appreciation for environmental stewardship among young learners. We hope to inspire the next generation to think critically about sustainability and community.
Free to Use and Share
We know you can’t put a price on education. The lesson plan for each outdoor learning activity is available for immediate download on Nature of Early Play’s website under the corresponding product page. Teachers and educators are encouraged to explore and integrate these resources into their curricula. Lesson plans can also be found on our Teachers Pay Teachers page.
Principles for Outdoor Learning and Play
We are committed to helping children connect with nature, stay active, and engage more deeply in their learning. Our approach aims to improve mental health and well-being through nature by incorporating the following:
- Accessibility for All
Every child should have access to outdoor learning, play, and nature connection. We work to reduce inequality by ensuring that well-designed school playground equipment meets the needs and aspirations of all students. Most play equipment from Nature of Early Play is ADA-accessible to ensure an inclusive environment for every child. See this article for more information about the importance of accessible and inclusive playgrounds for early childhood. - Curriculum Integration
Outdoor learning should be woven into the school curriculum, blending subject-specific knowledge with real-world experiences. Our programs support educators in delivering high-quality outdoor lessons. - High-Quality Play
Every child deserves extended periods of unstructured play during the school day. This protected time fosters development and creativity. That’s why our products are made from extremely durable Recycled Structural Plastic (RSP) and meet or exceed all safety standards. Read about the merits of our proprietary RSP formula here. - Nature at the Core
School grounds should offer enriching interactions with the natural world, fostering environmental stewardship among students and ensuring the health of our planet’s future. Many of our lesson plans encourage the exploration and appreciation of natural materials and how we can impact our planet for good. - The Outdoor Classroom
Every part of the school grounds can be a classroom. From the swing set to the sand box, all outdoor elements should be leveraged for teaching and learning. - Long-Lasting Design
Changes to school grounds should involve the entire school community and consider long-term use and sustainability. Our representatives guide educators and administrators in the thoughtful design and management of these spaces.
Upgrade Your Early Childhood Curriculum With Nature of Early Play!
Nature of Early Play and our parent company, Play Mart, have been manufacturing high-quality, sustainable playground equipment for over thirty years. Focusing on innovation, safety, and environmental responsibility, we continue to set the standard for eco-friendly play solutions.
Our mission has always been to provide world-class recycled plastic playground equipment that supports outdoor learning and play. By introducing these lesson plans, we aim to extend our impact into early childhood facilities.
Join Nature of Early Play in making outdoor learning and play a fundamental part of every child’s education. Together, we can create a future where nature and learning go hand-in-little-hand!
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