Playground nature areas

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A new Preschool playground afforded some re-thinking of the outdoor materials and experiences we want to provide to our children.  With the exceptional information and leadership provided by the National Wildlife Federation, the Texas Department of Parks and Recreation and programs TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION!, we redefined the boring, unsitely corners of our excellent playgrounds and common outdoor areas to become areas for discovery, reflection and play with natural materials
             

      
Constructing "Nature Islands" within a traditional playground composed of play equipment and ball areas reaps tremendous results.  Children are natural scientists with excellent sight and senses.  To be curious is 'developmentally appropriate', and interactions with the tiniest wildlife elicits feelings of compassion.  The children are motivated to care for the nature area and the life within it.  A most timely lesson for all of us!