Preschool Outdoors: Best Practice Toolkit (2nd Ed.)

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Preschool Outdoors: Best Practice Toolkit (2nd Ed.)

Natural Learning Initiative

The Best Practice Implementation Toolkit is a guide for implementing POD (Preventing Obesity by Design), launched in 2006 by the Natural Learning Initiative. The original focus, to modify the built environment to support physical activity and healthy eating, was gradually expanded, driven by scientific evidence and community concern, to include outdoor learning, social-emotional development, and mental health. POD is based on the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Learning (NC-DCDEE) policy to transform each childcare center “playground” into a health-promoting, naturalized Outdoor Learning Environment or childhood habitat—children, plants, and animals living together naturally. The vision, implemented in 2007, expanded the function of childcare facility outdoor spaces to become places for holistic child development.

Table of Contents:

01 IMPLEMENTING THE VISION

02 BEST PRACTICE INDICATORS

03 MANAGING INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT

04 BALANCING RISKS WITH BENEFITS

05 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND FUNDRAISING

GLOSSARY

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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