Home - Early Learning Nation

Nature’s Classroom: Why Preschoolers Need More Time Outdoors

Most American preschoolers don’t get enough time outdoors, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

At a forest school, the roof is the bright blue sky, a cluster of ladybugs flying through the air can turn into a science lesson and the fog lingering on your face becomes an example of the water cycle. Learning amid the leaves is the core of the curriculum in outdoor early learning programs, which often focus on children aged 3 to 5. Mother Nature provides the classroom where the littlest learners can dig up...

Nature’s Classroom: Why Preschoolers Need More Time Outdoors

Most American preschoolers don’t get enough time outdoors, according to a new report from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).

At a forest school, the roof is the bright blue sky, a cluster of ladybugs flying through the air can turn into a science lesson and the fog lingering on your face becomes an example of the water cycle. Learning amid the leaves is the core of the curriculum in...

Explore our series:

Elliot Haspel unpacks current events and explores possibilities for flourishing futures

Groundbreaking research—from neuroscience, policy and practice—that increases knowledge and helps create more equitable communities and lives

SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

An unprecedented degree of investor activity is creating a cascade of risks for the sector, risks which threaten the path toward an inclusive child care system which works well for all children, parents, and early educators.

Reporting on the fragile systems of American child care, solutions and advances

Highlighting how innovators build and sustain global communities from the ground up

Recaps from important conversations, town halls, webinars and virtual events from the Early Learning field

More recent news from the early learning world:

Get the latest in early learning science, community and more:

Join us