References
Adams, E. J. (2013). Nature-based learning: Taking infants and toddlers outside. YC Young Children, 68(3), 94–96.
Ardonin N., & Bowers A., (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
Cameron-Faulkner, T., Macdonald, R., Serratrice, L., Melville, J., & Gattis, M. (2017). Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experience of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.27.2.0110.
Chawla, L., & Nasar, J. L. (2015). Benefits of nature contact for children. Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 433–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885412215595441.
Child Care Aware. (2017). Mapping the gap: Exploring child care supply in Minnesota. (2017). https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MinnesotaMaps1.pdf.
Craig, D., Trina, N. A., Monsur, M., Haque, U. T., Farrow, G., Hasan, M. Z., Tasnim, F., & Akinbobola, M. S. (2024). Effective nature-based outdoor play and learning environments for below-3 children: A literature-based summary. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(9), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091247.
Dinkel, D., Snyder, K., Patterson, T., Warehime, S., Kuhn, M., & Wisneski, D. (2019). An exploration of infant and toddler unstructured outdoor play. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(2), 257–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2019.1579550.
Dodge Nature Center. (2025). Dodge Nature Center Preschool. https://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/preschool.
Dutke, A., Faris, H., Hanlon, J., Gessler, M., Sheldon, S., Whittaker, L., & Williams Ridge, S. (2022). Nature-based early childhood program assessment & guidebook. Minnesota Children and Nature Connection.
Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature (2020). Educational Research Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
Ernst, J. (2025). Guidance for cold-weather play by and for early childhood practitioners. Natural Start Alliance. https://naturalstart.org/what-we-do/events/natural-start-forum-flourishing-nature.
Fox, H., Gessler, M., Higgins, A., & Meade, A., Warden, C., & Williams Ridge, S., (2020). Children's environmental kinship guide. https://mindstretchers.academy/pages/environmentalkinship?srsltid=AfmBOooJuJcYSPk1gC7EfeMLNOLurI_LUft5om_NffqWnufHWtzQzxh6.
Gámez, P. B., Palermo, F., Perry, J. S., & Galindo, M. (2023). Spanish‐English bilingual toddlers’ vocabulary skills: The role of caregiver language input and warmth. Developmental Science, 26(2), e13308–n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13308.
Gookonaanig endaawaad (grandmas' house). (2021). Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang.https://ojibwemotaadidaa.weebly.com/gookonaanig-endaawaad.html.
Hanscom, A. J. (2016). Balanced and barefoot: How unrestricted outdoor play makes for strong, confident, and capable children (1st ed.). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Kemp, N., & Josephidou, J. (2023). Creating spaces called hope: The critical leadership role of owner/managers in developing outdoor pedagogies for infants and toddlers. Early Years (London, England), 43(3), 641–655. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2023.2235913.
Kiviranta, L., Lindfors, E., Rönkkö, M., & Luukka, E. (2024). Outdoor learning in early childhood education: Exploring benefits and challenges. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2023.2285762.
Kleinhans, A. H., Williams, M., & Wells, W. (2011). Dakota and Ojibwe language revitalization in Minnesota. https://www.legacy.mn.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2011_Dakota_and_Ojibwe_Language_Report.pdf.
Kracht, C. L., Staiano, A. E., Harris, M., Domangue, K., & Grantham-Caston, M. (2024). Modification of childcare’s outdoor setting for toddler physical activity and nature-based play: A mixed methods study. PloS One, 19(9), e0309113. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309113.
Larimore, R. (2019). Preschool beyond walls: Blending early childhood education and nature-based learning. Gryphon House.
Li, M., Nyland, B., Margetts, K., & Guan, Y. (2017). Early childhood educator’ perspectives on how infants and toddlers learn: Australia and China. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy (Seoul), 11(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-017-0035-9.
MacQuarrie, S., Nugent, C., & Warden, C. (2015). Learning with nature and learning from others: Nature as setting and resource for early childhood education. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 15(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2013.841095.
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. (2026) Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards. https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-care-and-early-learning/professional-development/ecips.
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. (2025). Nature-based learning programs.
https://dcyf.mn.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/els-nature-based-learning-programs-11.7.25.pdf.
Minnesota Department of Education. (2021). Early childhood outdoor learning booklet. https://education.mn.gov/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=PROD046760&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestReleased&Rendition=primary.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2025). General child care licensing information. https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplgIdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=ID_017386&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (2025). About forest schools.https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/schoolforest/about.html.
Morrissey, A., Scott, C., & Wishart, L. (2015). Infant and toddler responses to a redesign of their childcare outdoor play space. Children, Youth and Environments, 25(1), 29–56. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.25.1.0029.
National Association for the Education of Young Children, publisher., Bredekamp, S., Masterson, M. L., Willer, B. A., & Wright, B. L. (2022). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2010). Guidelines for Excellence: Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2023). Nature preschools in the united states 2022 national survey. Washington, DC. https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/staff/natstart_2022_national_survey_final_draft.pdf.
Pikus, A. E., Etchison, H. M., Gerde, H. K., & Bingham, G. E. (2025). Nature for all: Utilizing the universal design framework to incorporate nature-based learning within an early childhood inclusive classroom. Teaching Exceptional Children, 57(5), 338–347. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599241257438.
Powers, J., & Williams Ridge, S. (2016). Nature-based learning for young children: Anytime, anywhere, on any budget (1st ed.). Redleaf Press.
Quinones, G. (2023). An infant-toddler outdoor risky play practices in an early childhood centre in Australia. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 26(3), 463–477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-023-00148-y.
Warden, C. (2022). Green teaching : nature pedagogies for climate change & sustainability. Corwin.
Warden, C. (2019). Nature pedagogy: Education for sustainability. Childhood Education, 95(6), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2019.1689050.
Wirth, S., & Rosenow, N. (2012). Supporting Whole-Child Learning in Nature-Filled Outdoor Classrooms. YC Young Children, 67(1), 42–48.
Women's Funding Network. (2026). What is whole family? Whole Family Approaches to Economic Mobility. https://wholefamilyguide.org/what-is-whole-family/.
Ardonin N., & Bowers A., (2020). Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature. Educational Research Review. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
Cameron-Faulkner, T., Macdonald, R., Serratrice, L., Melville, J., & Gattis, M. (2017). Plant yourself where language blooms: Direct experience of nature changes how parents and children talk about nature. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.27.2.0110.
Chawla, L., & Nasar, J. L. (2015). Benefits of nature contact for children. Journal of Planning Literature, 30(4), 433–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885412215595441.
Child Care Aware. (2017). Mapping the gap: Exploring child care supply in Minnesota. (2017). https://www.childcareaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MinnesotaMaps1.pdf.
Craig, D., Trina, N. A., Monsur, M., Haque, U. T., Farrow, G., Hasan, M. Z., Tasnim, F., & Akinbobola, M. S. (2024). Effective nature-based outdoor play and learning environments for below-3 children: A literature-based summary. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(9), 1247. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091247.
Dinkel, D., Snyder, K., Patterson, T., Warehime, S., Kuhn, M., & Wisneski, D. (2019). An exploration of infant and toddler unstructured outdoor play. European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 27(2), 257–271. https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293X.2019.1579550.
Dodge Nature Center. (2025). Dodge Nature Center Preschool. https://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/preschool.
Dutke, A., Faris, H., Hanlon, J., Gessler, M., Sheldon, S., Whittaker, L., & Williams Ridge, S. (2022). Nature-based early childhood program assessment & guidebook. Minnesota Children and Nature Connection.
Early childhood environmental education: A systematic review of the research literature (2020). Educational Research Review, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2020.100353.
Ernst, J. (2025). Guidance for cold-weather play by and for early childhood practitioners. Natural Start Alliance. https://naturalstart.org/what-we-do/events/natural-start-forum-flourishing-nature.
Fox, H., Gessler, M., Higgins, A., & Meade, A., Warden, C., & Williams Ridge, S., (2020). Children's environmental kinship guide. https://mindstretchers.academy/pages/environmentalkinship?srsltid=AfmBOooJuJcYSPk1gC7EfeMLNOLurI_LUft5om_NffqWnufHWtzQzxh6.
Gámez, P. B., Palermo, F., Perry, J. S., & Galindo, M. (2023). Spanish‐English bilingual toddlers’ vocabulary skills: The role of caregiver language input and warmth. Developmental Science, 26(2), e13308–n/a. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13308.
Gookonaanig endaawaad (grandmas' house). (2021). Ojibwemotaadidaa Omaa Gidakiiminaang.https://ojibwemotaadidaa.weebly.com/gookonaanig-endaawaad.html.
Hanscom, A. J. (2016). Balanced and barefoot: How unrestricted outdoor play makes for strong, confident, and capable children (1st ed.). New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
Kemp, N., & Josephidou, J. (2023). Creating spaces called hope: The critical leadership role of owner/managers in developing outdoor pedagogies for infants and toddlers. Early Years (London, England), 43(3), 641–655. https://doi.org/10.1080/09575146.2023.2235913.
Kiviranta, L., Lindfors, E., Rönkkö, M., & Luukka, E. (2024). Outdoor learning in early childhood education: Exploring benefits and challenges. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131881.2023.2285762.
Kleinhans, A. H., Williams, M., & Wells, W. (2011). Dakota and Ojibwe language revitalization in Minnesota. https://www.legacy.mn.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2011_Dakota_and_Ojibwe_Language_Report.pdf.
Kracht, C. L., Staiano, A. E., Harris, M., Domangue, K., & Grantham-Caston, M. (2024). Modification of childcare’s outdoor setting for toddler physical activity and nature-based play: A mixed methods study. PloS One, 19(9), e0309113. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309113.
Larimore, R. (2019). Preschool beyond walls: Blending early childhood education and nature-based learning. Gryphon House.
Li, M., Nyland, B., Margetts, K., & Guan, Y. (2017). Early childhood educator’ perspectives on how infants and toddlers learn: Australia and China. International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy (Seoul), 11(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40723-017-0035-9.
MacQuarrie, S., Nugent, C., & Warden, C. (2015). Learning with nature and learning from others: Nature as setting and resource for early childhood education. Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning, 15(1), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729679.2013.841095.
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. (2026) Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards. https://dcyf.mn.gov/partners-and-providers/child-care-and-early-learning/professional-development/ecips.
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. (2025). Nature-based learning programs.
https://dcyf.mn.gov/sites/default/files/2025-11/els-nature-based-learning-programs-11.7.25.pdf.
Minnesota Department of Education. (2021). Early childhood outdoor learning booklet. https://education.mn.gov/mdeprod/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=PROD046760&RevisionSelectionMethod=latestReleased&Rendition=primary.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2025). General child care licensing information. https://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplgIdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&dDocName=ID_017386&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (2025). About forest schools.https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/schoolforest/about.html.
Morrissey, A., Scott, C., & Wishart, L. (2015). Infant and toddler responses to a redesign of their childcare outdoor play space. Children, Youth and Environments, 25(1), 29–56. https://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.25.1.0029.
National Association for the Education of Young Children, publisher., Bredekamp, S., Masterson, M. L., Willer, B. A., & Wright, B. L. (2022). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. National Association for the Education of Young Children.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2010). Guidelines for Excellence: Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2019). Nature-based preschool professional practice guidebook: Teaching, environments, safety, administration. Washington, DC.
North American Association for Environmental Education. (2023). Nature preschools in the united states 2022 national survey. Washington, DC. https://naturalstart.org/sites/default/files/staff/natstart_2022_national_survey_final_draft.pdf.
Pikus, A. E., Etchison, H. M., Gerde, H. K., & Bingham, G. E. (2025). Nature for all: Utilizing the universal design framework to incorporate nature-based learning within an early childhood inclusive classroom. Teaching Exceptional Children, 57(5), 338–347. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599241257438.
Powers, J., & Williams Ridge, S. (2016). Nature-based learning for young children: Anytime, anywhere, on any budget (1st ed.). Redleaf Press.
Quinones, G. (2023). An infant-toddler outdoor risky play practices in an early childhood centre in Australia. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education, 26(3), 463–477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-023-00148-y.
Warden, C. (2022). Green teaching : nature pedagogies for climate change & sustainability. Corwin.
Warden, C. (2019). Nature pedagogy: Education for sustainability. Childhood Education, 95(6), 6–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/00094056.2019.1689050.
Wirth, S., & Rosenow, N. (2012). Supporting Whole-Child Learning in Nature-Filled Outdoor Classrooms. YC Young Children, 67(1), 42–48.
Women's Funding Network. (2026). What is whole family? Whole Family Approaches to Economic Mobility. https://wholefamilyguide.org/what-is-whole-family/.
