The Patterns of Nature

Mathematics is the science of patterns, and nature exploits just about every pattern that there is. — Ian Stewart   This profound quote illustrates the connection between math and nature. Nature supplies us with wondrous examples of math: the hexagon of … READ MORE

Let It Go (Outside): 4 Frozen Playground Activities

   It’s too cold to be outside for long, but your preschool scientists can still explore properties of the cold with these frozen playground activities. Although most of the investigation can happen inside, each of these take a few minutes … READ MORE

Unbe-leaf-able Leaf Activities

With Fall now being in full swing, there are plenty of leaves to go around. To take advantage of the numerous leaves that are now starting to fall to the ground, there are many leaf activities that the children can … READ MORE

Build-A-Creek, Part 1

One of our newest products, the Build-A-Creek is a kit that comes with all the materials you need to make your own creek for your natural playscape.   In addition to all materials, we supply directions describing how the children can … READ MORE

Teaching the Subject Areas Through Outdoor Play

Math – Children practice math skills when counting rocks, making patterns with leaves, weighing how heavy a stone is, and sorting other natural materials into groups. Science – Children explore with science when growing plants, observing insects, dropping a ball … READ MORE

The Theory of Multiple Intelligences Overview

In case you missed our series about how Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences relates to outdoor learning on the preschool playground, below are links to each of our posts about the different intelligences. 1.  Introduction 2.  Naturalistic Intelligence 3.  … READ MORE

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Welcome back as we continue discussing how Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences apply to learning in children’s outdoor play areas.  Another intelligence that can be encouraged and can flourish on the preschool playground is the logical-mathematical intelligence.  This intelligence has to … READ MORE

The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

The developmental psychologist Howard Gardner created the theory of multiple intelligences in 1983 as a model that proposes the existence of many different intelligences instead of just one single entity called intelligence.  The theory suggests that there are 8 main intelligences … READ MORE

Learning in the Snow

With temperatures dropping, it is a perfect time for children to expand their knowledge and awareness of winter weather. Take this winter season as an opportunity to do an investigative study of the weather with the children. Collect and measure … READ MORE

Learning with Rocks!

  I just read an article by David Elkind titled Preschool Academics: Learning What Comes Naturally and it reaffirmed what we here at The Adventurous Child have been saying all along, outdoor play is truly one of the best ways … READ MORE