Natural Playgrounds Initiative
Throughout 2012, the RICCFF will seek to promote the importance of outdoor play for young children. High quality outdoor playspaces provide:
- Opportunities to combat childhood obesity
- The expansion of the learning environment
- The reconnection of children to the natural world
The benefits of a well-designed outdoor playspace are endless. For children participating in child care programs the time spent outdoors while at child care may constitute the majority of their outdoor time each week. Thus, child care facilities play a critical role in offering natural play environments that support children’s learning, promote active play and provide exposure to an array of natural elements. Components of the RICCFF playground initiative will include:
- Training programs
- Distribution of resource materials
- On-site technical assistance
- Mini-grants for innovative playground improvements
- Model playspace designs based on before and after conceptual plans
In This Issue
Natural Playgrounds Initiative
Taking Back the Playground