More than three鈥憅uarters of students from low鈥慽ncome households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education.
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There has been a wealth of research outlining the overall benefits for all children spending more time outside interacting with the natural world. These developmental benefits are even more significant when rich experiences are provided to infants and toddlers who suffer from traumatic life events. Offering infants and toddlers rich experiences in nature will support development across domains. Additionally, studies reveal that infants and toddlers who have sensory-rich experiences outdoors are more physically active, engage in more creative play and achieve better cognitive outcomes. (Torquati & Barber, 2005) Unfortunately, many early childhood teachers serving families in poverty are unable to afford the safe and sturdy materials they need to offer rich, naturalistic experiences for the infants and toddlers who need them most.
The primary goal of this project is to establish a collection of quality, naturalistic outdoor learning and play materials for infants and toddlers in need. The proposed collection of items purchased will be used to establish a 'lending library' of materials for infant and toddler teachers to borrow and experiment with in their outdoor learning environments. Because the project is seeking to create a set of shared materials, this collection of quality materials has the potential to impact far more infants and toddlers than those being served this year, but many more in the future as well!
To start the collection we are proposing to purchase a small, portable bridge, a portable wooden water trough, a sturdy wooden 'mud kitchen' and a set of eight wooden balance boards that can be used in a variety of ways.
Please consider donating and helping teachers provide infants and toddlers in need with more sensory-rich outdoor experiences and opportunities for observation, exploration and engagement with nature.
About my class
There has been a wealth of research outlining the overall benefits for all children spending more time outside interacting with the natural world. These developmental benefits are even more significant when rich experiences are provided to infants and toddlers who suffer from traumatic life events. Offering infants and toddlers rich experiences in nature will support development across domains. Additionally, studies reveal that infants and toddlers who have sensory-rich experiences outdoors are more physically active, engage in more creative play and achieve better cognitive outcomes. (Torquati & Barber, 2005) Unfortunately, many early childhood teachers serving families in poverty are unable to afford the safe and sturdy materials they need to offer rich, naturalistic experiences for the infants and toddlers who need them most.
The primary goal of this project is to establish a collection of quality, naturalistic outdoor learning and play materials for infants and toddlers in need. The proposed collection of items purchased will be used to establish a 'lending library' of materials for infant and toddler teachers to borrow and experiment with in their outdoor learning environments. Because the project is seeking to create a set of shared materials, this collection of quality materials has the potential to impact far more infants and toddlers than those being served this year, but many more in the future as well!
To start the collection we are proposing to purchase a small, portable bridge, a portable wooden water trough, a sturdy wooden 'mud kitchen' and a set of eight wooden balance boards that can be used in a variety of ways.
Please consider donating and helping teachers provide infants and toddlers in need with more sensory-rich outdoor experiences and opportunities for observation, exploration and engagement with nature.