Kansas Child Magazine Kansas Child magazine, Spring 2013, Volume 12,
Issue 2 Bullying In Early Childhood A publication of Child Care Aware of Kansas "Corinne Carr has been providing high-quality family child care for young children since 1992. Corinne's interest in natural play environments began while she was a participant in the Healthy Kansas Kids project through Child Care Aware. She is currently a participant in the Quality Steps Project through Child Care Aware of Southeast Kansas. Corinne has contracted through Early Head Start since 2006. She is also the vice-president of the local child care provider's organization (P.L.A.Y) and a board member for the Child Care Providers Coalition of Kansas, INC.
Natural Learning Environment

by Corinne Carr, Owner and Operator , Special Blessing's Child Care, Emporia, Ks.

Early Childhood programs across the country are striving to create natural learning environments for children that promote exploration and discovery. Nature Explore is a collaborative project between the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation. The Outdoor Adventures Classroom at Special Blessing's Child Care became Nature Explore certified in August 3, 2012. This certification demonstrates our commitment to connecting children with a natural, safe learning environment that will lead to a sense of wonder and creativity.

The educational outdoor classroom gives children a chance to enhance problem solving skills, builds positive relationships,relieves stress, develops observation skills, invites imagination, and gain knowledge that will last a lifetime. Children embrace an oasis of serenity, freedom, comfort and fun. Our outdoor space encourages exercise which benefits children mentally, emotionally and promotes active, healthy bodies. Interactions with peers and adults offer a unique benefit to social/emotional development and collaborating skills.

There are many areas children can explore in the natural escape including a vegetation garden, waterfall,musical equipment (drums and chimes), stepping stones, tree cookies (natural blocks) and trees with faces. Children help fill bird feeders. Art areas complete with easels and chalk boards are provided. Other spaces include story time, a butterfly garden, dirt digging, climbing, sand and water play, dramatic play, cause/effect, a nature table and a hut.

The outdoor space is not only beneficial to children, as a child care provider, it helps me meditate and gain spiritual development. Whether it is from the water trickling down the rocks, children's laughter, or harmonious sounds of chimes, I feel rejuvenated. Children spend more time indoors with a technology oriented world than discovering the outdoors. What can you do to get them outside to experience a natural learning environment?

A Calm Outdoor Classroom, Written by: Heather Fox, Education Specialist, Dimensions Educational Research Foundation
Nature Explore
- See more at: http://natureexplorecommunity.org/2013/a-calm-outdoor-classroom/#sthash.cfmAjsRh.dpuf

Working with children requires great reserves of strength and patience. In her book, Heart- Centered Teaching Inspired by Nature, Nancy Rosenow recognizes this and invites caregivers, teachers and parents to use nature and self-reflection to help build these reserves. Below is a wonderful example from one of our Certified Nature Explore Classrooms of how this can be achieved in your own outdoor classroom.

“The outdoor space is not only beneficial to children, but as a child care provider it helps me meditate and gain spiritual development. I feel rejuvenated whether it is from the water trickling down the rocks, children’s laughter or harmonious sounds of chimes,” describes Corinne Carr, owner of Special Blessings Child Care, a Certified Nature Explore Classroom in Emporia, KS.

Carr’s peaceful outdoor classroom includes a variety of experiences for children to choose from such as gardening, music making and digging in the dirt. Known for their therapeutic qualities, it is no wonder both children and adults benefit from actively engaging in the space. Adding to the serenity, describes Carr, is their locally designed water feature. It is a place children naturally gravitate to, spending time playing and studying water’s calming properties. (See photo)

Nature’s soothing qualities combined with open-ended natural materials to explore will prove time and time again to benefit both adults and children. Carr’s comment made me wonder, how can we better utilize our outdoor classrooms for meditation and relaxation?

- See more at: http://natureexplorecommunity.org/2013/a-calm-outdoor-classroom/#sthash.cfmAjsRh.dpuf

Themes: Education
As a child, I have fond memories of sitting at the edge of our old well making mud pies. My mother often let me go to the garden to add some vegetables such as green beans or corn. I was really proud of my creations while my sensory, fine motor, and cognitive skills were developing. I believe in offering children opportunities and experiences to expand their knowledge in growth and development. A personal philosophy is a critical analysis of one’s assumption or fundamental beliefs. A philosophy consists of personal values proceeded by a statement by which one person lives and strongly believes. When children acquire ownership through their creations, they learn to love new experiences. These experiences will stimulate the child’s passion to learn new things.

My Philosophy…. I believe Quality Child Care is a program that is developed to meet the needs of young children and foster them through the Early Childhood years. Quality Child Care is a commitment to provide an environment where a child’s growth is supported and enhanced with learning experiences in all areas. It is vital to embrace each child as a unique person with individual timings of social, emotional, physical, and intellectual developments. My role as an early childhood professional is to help children be successful. I believe in a “expanding their horizon” approach to learning and that children learn through play. I agree with the quote by Dr. Hiam Ginnot: “Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression” (Ginnott). Children develop positive self Image concepts through encouragement, autonomy, and teacher directed activities. It is important to provide each child opportunities for creative self expression and exploration. These opportunities are a balance of solitary, group, and provider directed activities. It is so amazing when teaching a child and experiencing the difference made by giving extra opportunities.

A child that I encountered truly touched my heart. I will refer to her as “my friend.” The three year old child was enrolled in my program in August of 2008 through July of 2009. When I spoke to her, she responded with baby babble. I worked with this child everyday on language skills. I started out communicating to her with sign language and saw a drastic drop in her frustration level. I was in awe at the progress, changes, and transformations taking place. By expanding her horizons through communication skills she was able to blossom. Her eyes began to sparkle at her accomplishments. One day my friend came with two roses behind her back and said;” Happy Valentines: I Love you.” The child left my program speaking five to seven word sentences. Children are like little sponges when they have the chance to learn.

Children learn at an early age. Children can learn through endless opportunities that we provide. It is important for children to work with an Early Childhood professional who is sensitive, compassionate, strong, and dedicated. I think it is important to be aware of each individual child’s special interests and build upon them. It is my desire to provide a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment in which children will grow. The early years are a child’s learning years: let’s make them count.
Corinne - Emporia, Kansas Entered on December 13, 2010