SOURCE: PlayCore
PlayCore has joined forces with the Children & Nature Network to raise awareness and help scale the implementation of green schoolyards. Studies have proven that children’s exposure to nature is beneficial in a variety of meaningful ways. Collectively, this body of research shows that children’s academic, social, psychological, cognitive, and physical health is positively impacted when they have daily exposure to nature.
Since students spend most of their weekday hours in school, greening schoolyards is a vital and logical step to support children's’ overall health and well-being. The Children & Nature Network defines green schoolyards as multi-functional school grounds designed for and by the school community that offer places for students, teachers, parents, and community members to play, learn, explore, and grow. During out-of-school time, these schoolyards are ideally open to the community to use. A green schoolyard can include outdoor classrooms, gardens, traditional play equipment, nature play areas, trails, trees, and more.
To support a collective vision that, “all communities have access to green schoolyards to enhance children’s healthy development, community well-being and positive environmental impacts,” PlayCore and the Children & Nature Network will conduct a national survey as the first step in supporting communities across the U.S. in developing their own green schoolyard programs. To take part in the survey, please send your email address, name, agency/company, and title to [email protected]. You can also sign on to help advance the national Green Schoolyards Action Agenda, endorsed by the Children & Nature Network, PlayCore and dozens of green schoolyards leaders. In addition, you'll find tools and resources for greening school grounds in the Children & Nature Network's Green Schoolyards Resource Hub.
About PlayCorePlayCore is a purpose driven Company committed to building stronger communities around the world by advancing play and recreation. The company infuses scholarly learning, through its Center for Outreach, Research, and Education, into its comprehensive family of brands. PlayCore combines best-in-class educational programming with the most comprehensive portfolio of play and recreation products and services to create tailored recreation environments that match the unique needs of each community served.
About the Children & Nature Network The Children & Nature Network (C&NN) believes that nature makes children healthier, happier and smarter. C&NN is a US-based non-profit organization leading a global movement to increase equitable access to nature so that children—and natural places—can thrive. C&NN achieves its mission by investing in leaders and communities through sharing evidence-based resources, scaling innovative solutions, and driving policy change. Learn more at childrenandnature.org
