Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners

by Sandra Duncan EdD, Christine Burkholder

Overview

What can jellyfish, a bunch of grapes, or dandelions possibly teach us about designing early childhood classrooms? As it turns out, quite a lot! Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners explores how nature offers valuable and important lessons about transforming classroom spaces into places where infants and toddlers can thrive.

Discover what mushrooms can teach us about cozy hideaways. Learn what sea turtles can show us about wayfinding. Find out what lightning bugs can share about illumination. Squirrels and handwashing sinks? Yes, that too! Horses and learning centers? Of course!

With gorgeous photos and intriguing connections, Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners will help you see your infant, toddler, or twos classroom in a whole new way. Learn how to:

• make your classroom twinkle like fireflies.
• optimize storage space like honeybees.
• create a cozy environment like the forest.
• see from different angles like alligators.

There’s so much more to learn, so let the exploration begin!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780876599389
Publisher:	Gryphon House Inc.
Publication date:	12/01/2023
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

With over 45 years of experience in the early care and education field and a doctorate in education, Dr. Duncan has extensive experience in working with young children and parents, teaching at the university level (doctorate students and early childhood students), PDA specialist for CDA candidates, designing and writing professional development programs for practitioners, and authoring several teacher resource books including Inspiring Spaces for Young Children and Rating Observation Scale for Inspiring Environments (ROSIE).  As the former owner of eleven early childhood programs (i.e., well baby clinic, reading diagnostic clinic, park and recreation, programs for special rights children, preschool, and child care) and current owner of eleven before- and after-school programs serving over 1,100 school agers for three public school systems, Dr. Duncan has a wide and varied background in early care and education. Most importantly, she is the proud grandma of Sierra Elizabeth.