Woodland Park Zoo and Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA) are excited to share “Nature Play in Early Learning,” a toolkit for early learners (ages 0–5) containing culturally responsive, nature-based prompts and activities. From exploring natural materials in the classroom to wilderness adventures, Nature Play is known to improve academic achievement, personal development, and stewardship.

The activities featured on the cards are intended to increase educator’s comfort and capacity incorporating nature play across seasons, spaces, languages, and learning goals. Each lesson utilizes common materials found in classrooms and outdoors. The cards are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

The purpose of this toolkit and the associated training is to creatively and thoughtfully integrate nature play into early learning spaces in ways that are culturally meaningful to children, families, and early childhood educators. The training will provide up to 8 hours of MERIT credit through DCYF. Check out the cards, training and additional nature play resources on the zoo's resource library here. (Quick note: A free account is required to access the training and more exclusive educator resources located in the Discovery Den.)

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MA-251566-OMS-22]. We are grateful to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for their additional support disseminating this project throughout the state of Washington.