Our team at Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds has been building outdoor learning and play spaces for over two decades. We are staunch advocated of the influence and importance of nature and the outdoors with regards to the development of our children. Bienenstock offers an expertise in the pedagogy of nature play; the sensory engagement only nature can offer, while producing the finest handcrafted natural playground equipment and outdoor classrooms in the world.
The Benefits of Natural Playgrounds
Natural playgrounds offer a range of benefits for children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional development. Unlike traditional playgrounds with structured, man-made equipment, we incorporate materials and ideas from nature, such as logs, rocks, and plants. These play spaces encourage children to explore, problem-solve, and engage in imaginative play. By interacting with natural elements, children develop their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination. Additionally, being surrounded by nature can have a calming and stress-reducing effect on children, promoting their mental well-being. Natural playgrounds also provide opportunities for sensory experiences, stimulating the senses of touch, sight, smell, and sound. Overall, these natural play spaces encourage active and imaginative play, while fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting holistic development in children.
OutClass™ Outdoor Learning – Kindergarten & Childcare Webinar
Join Jill Bienenstock for this webinar for the kindergarten & early childhood education, learning how to set up your outdoor space and creating an environment that provides a ‘third teacher’ is imperative. The goal is to create an outdoor area that provides sensory rich activities, big body play and loads of opportunities for children to connect, challenge and problem-solve.
We will focus on creating 2-3 different opportunities for unstructured, child led free play that focuses on motor skills and creativity as well as an additional station for more formal learning that reinforces new skills in math, language and science. Each webinar will focus on unstructured free play activities that support the weather as well as a structured activity.