2. FUN, EDUCATIONAL AND SAFE Presented by Patricia Earle

3. Outdoor Environment as Curriculum Gross/Fine MotorSocial/EmotionalScience and NatureSensoryCreativeMathLanguage and LiteracyDramatic Play

4. BENEFITS OF THE OUTDOOR CLASSROOM For Teachers For Children For the Community For the Environment

5. FOR TEACHERS Easier Classroom Management Easier Clean-UpHealth BenefitsTeachable Moments

6. FOR CHILDREN More Freedom/Fewer Rules Health Benefits Learning Opportunities FUN http://Nature Deficit DisorderNature Deficit Disorder

7. FOR THE COMMUNITY www.childrennatureandyou.org

8. FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Awareness Of Nature Knowledge About Nature Appreciation Enjoyment Action Protect Save the children Save the earth

9. http://www.childrennatureandyou.org/www.childrennatureandyou.org

10. http://www.childrennatureandyou.org/reso urces.htmlwww.childrennatureandyou.org/reso urces.html

12. WEB SITES FOR PLAYGROUND SAFETY http://www.cpsc.gov/ Consumer Product Safety Commissionhttp://www.cpsc.gov/ http://www.nrpa.org/ National Recreation and Parks Associationhttp://www.nrpa.org/ http://playgroundsafety.org/ Nation Program for Playground Safety http://playgroundsafety.org/ http://NPPS Safety ChecklistNPPS Safety Checklist

13. ASTM OFFICIAL STANDARDS http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1487.htm ASTM 2- 12 Years http://www.astm.org/Standards/F1487.htm http://www.astm.org/Standards/F2373.htm ASTM 6- 23 Months http://www.astm.org/Standards/F2373.htm American Society for Testing and Materials

14. http://www.nrpa.org/Content.aspx?id=3531www.nrpa.org/Content.aspx?id=3531

18. The Dirty Dozen NRPA's National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) has identified twelve of the leading causes of injuries on playgrounds, and published "The Dirty Dozen - A Checklist for Safe Playgrounds," a brochure that identifies and discusses the twelve most common safety concerns and leading causes of injuries on playgrounds. Explore-Parks-and-Recreation/National- Initiatives/The-Dirty-Dozen Explore-Parks-and-Recreation/National- Initiatives/The-Dirty-Dozen

19. Link to pdf

20. Safety Checklist for Active Play Areas The following checklist is based primarily on the recommendations of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as specified in their current Handbook for Public Playground Safety, and the current ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Standards. Not every recommendation is included in this checklist; refer to the handbook and the standard for complete information. Successfully completing this checklist will help you make your play area safer. You will need a yardstick and/or measuring tape to complete this checklist. By checking “Yes” below, you confirm that the recommendation has been met or that a hazard is NOT present. When you check “No”, be sure to make a corrective action plan on the last page of the checklist. *** ***Handout provided

21. S.A.F.E. — NATIONAL ACTION PLAN SUPERVISION AGE- APPROPRIATE FALL SURFACING EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

22. A QUICK CHECKLIST FOR PARENTS KEEP YOUR CHILDREN S.A.F.E. Place this list in a prominent area of your home for quick reference. Then, before your children head out the door for the playground, check that: Supervision is present, but strings and ropes aren't. Adult presence is needed to watch for potential hazards, observe, intercede and facilitate play when necessary. Strings on clothing or ropes used for play can cause accidental strangulation if caught on equipment. All children play on Age-appropriate equipment. Preschoolers, ages 2 - 5, and children ages 5 - 12, are developmentally different and need different equipment located in separate areas to keep the playground safe and fun for all. Falls to surface are cushioned. Nearly 70 percent of all playground injuries are related to falls to the surface. Acceptable surfaces include hardwood fiber/mulch, pea gravel, sand and synthetic materials such as poured-in-place, rubber mats or tiles. Playground surfaces should not be concrete, asphalt, grass, blacktop, packed dirt or rocks. Equipment is safe. Check to make sure the equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, bolts are not protruding, there are no exposed footings, etc. Safety checklists are available from the CPSC or the National Program for Playground Safety.CPSCNational Program for Playground Safety

23. “Nature Based Play”