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    Seasons of Play: Natural Environments of Wonder
    Seasons of Play: Natural Environments of Wonder
    Seasons of Play: Natural Environments of Wonder
    Ebook155 pages29 minutes

    Seasons of Play: Natural Environments of Wonder

    By Rusty Keeler

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    About this ebook

    Teachers, center directors, and parents of children 3-8 who want to create natural play environments.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGryphon House Inc.
    Release dateOct 1, 2016
    ISBN9780876596135
    Seasons of Play: Natural Environments of Wonder
    Author

    Rusty Keeler

    Rusty Keeler is a play space designer who has worked over the past 20 years with hundreds of community, school, parks, university, and child care leaders to dream, design, and construct beautiful outdoor environments for children. He has worked in more than 30 states and throughout Canada, Europe, China, Australia, and New Zealand. He is one of the pioneers in the movement to reconnect children to nature, and his designs reflect his sincere desire to create a more beautiful world in which to grow and explore. He is a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at conferences, communities, and colleges worldwide. Rusty lives with his family among the gorges and creeks in Ithaca, NY.

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    • 5/5
      I loved this book. Rusty has such a unique vision for engaging kids (and adults) in dirty, creative, exciting, and happy play! Reading this book took me back to a childhood of climbing trees, staying outside until dark, and creating our own fun. It also reminds me of learning about the world around me, and how great it is for children to use what they can find to build and create new worlds, friendships, and collaborations--skills that they will use throughout their lives!

    Book preview

    Seasons of Play - Rusty Keeler

    Contents

    Natural Environments of Wonder

    Introduction

    Part 1

    The Children and the Yards

    Summer

    Autumn

    Winter

    Spring

    Summer Again

    Seed Center Yard Plan

    A Conversation

    with Jacquelyn Beuchel, Director of the Seed Center, and Her Husband, Aaron

    Summer

    Autumn

    Winter

    Spring

    Corner of the Sky Yard Plan

    Winter

    LittleLeaf Yard Plan

    Part 2

    Construction Projects and Resources

    Seasons of Play

    Natural Environments of Wonder

    Rusty Keeler

    Seasons of Play

    Copyright ©2016 Rusty Keeler

    Published by Gryphon House, Inc.

    P. O. Box 10, Lewisville, NC 27023

    800.638.0928; 877.638.7576 (fax)

    Visit us on the web at www.gryphonhouse.com.

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or technical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States. Every effort has been made to locate copyright and permission information.

    Photographs courtesy of Rusty Keeler.

    Photographs on pages vi, vii, viii, ix, 4, 5, 24, 25, 32, 33, 46, 47, 64, 65, 90, 91, 116, 117, 126, 127, 136, 137, 152, and 153 used under license from DollarPhotoClub.

    Bulk Purchase

    Gryphon House books are available for special premiums and sales promotions as well as for fund-raising use. Special editions or book excerpts also can be created to specifications. For details, call 800.638.0928.

    Disclaimer

    Gryphon House, Inc., and Rusty Keeler cannot be held responsible for damage, mishap, or injury incurred during the use of or because of activities in this book. Appropriate and reasonable caution and adult supervision of children involved in activities and corresponding to the age and capability of each child involved are recommended at all times. When making choices about allowing children to eat certain foods, plants, or flowers, make sure to investigate possible toxicity and consider any food allergies or sensitivities. If in doubt about safety, do not ingest food or plants. Whenever children are near fire or flames, they must be supervised carefully. Do not leave children unattended at any time. Observe safety and caution at all times.

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

    Names: Keeler, Rusty, author.

    Title: Seasons of play : natural environments of wonder /

    Rusty Keeler.

    Description: Lewisville, NC : Gryphon House, Inc., [2016] | Includes index.

    Identifiers: LCCN 2016005228 (print) | LCCN 2016017342 (ebook) | ISBN

      9780876596128 (pbk.) | ISBN 9780876596135 (e-book)

    Subjects: LCSH: Play environments—Design and construction. | Plants for play

      environments. | Playgrounds—Design and construction. |

      Playgrounds—Environmental aspects. | Physical education for children.

    Classification: LCC GV425 .K44 2016 (print) | LCC GV425 (ebook) | DDC

      790.06/8—dc23

    LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016005228

    Preface

    Every child deserves . . .

    • Every child deserves a safe place to play.

    • Every child deserves supportive adults watching him grow.

    • Every child deserves an environment that offers her endless possibilities.

    Your children can have that. Your outdoor space can support that. You can be a

    part of it.

    The environments in this book are not overly complex, expensive, or hard to build.

    The spaces were built by hand by teachers, friends, and families. One was built all

    at once. One evolved over time. All of them continue to grow and change and always

    will. Just like children.

    The environments in this book are successful for the preschoolers and families they serve. What works in one center might not work in another school. Each child’s needs are unique. Everyone’s situation is different. Some outdoor areas are shady, and some are sunny—that affects what plants you can grow. Some are used by lots of children at once, and others may be used by small groups of children. Some yards need to handle wild, rambunctious, high-energy children, and some schools have mellow explorers and gardeners. What are your children like? What do they need? How can you create opportunities to explore and challenge and grow?

    Another name for this book could be A Year in the Life of the Natural Playscape. It is a window to the natural-play environment and a glimpse at what happens there, what children do, what adults say yes to, and what natural spaces for children can look and function like—in all seasons, all year long. I hope what you’ll see will inspire you to think about your own outdoor spaces in new ways. I hope you

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