Adventure Zone Child Care

Super cool study! Just another reason to love our nature-inspired play space. 🤗

A well-known study from Natural Resources Institute Finland, published in Science Advances, investigated how nature-based playgrounds affect children’s health. In this 28-day experiment, researchers modified urban daycare yards by adding forest soil, grass, and plants, and observed around 75 children aged 3–5. Compared to children playing in standard urban environments (with gravel or artificial surfaces), those exposed to natural materials showed a noticeable increase in the diversity of beneficial microbes on their skin and in their gut.

These microbial changes were linked to improvements in immune system function, including higher levels of immune-regulating cells such as T-cells and better balance in immune responses. However, the study did not claim a dramatic or instant “boost” in overall health; instead, it showed early signs of improved immune regulation, which may help protect against inflammatory and autoimmune conditions over time. The findings suggest that regular contact with natural environments can play an important role in supporting children’s developing immune systems.

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***Note: this foot is now 16 years old ****
I used to believe parents needed a receipt, evidence their child did more than “JUST” play.

I felt parents needed proof they were getting what they paid me for: to TEACH their child.

This receipt was in the form of a rigid schedule, flash-card games and other developmentally inappropriate methods of forcing letter memorization, adult-directed and heavily controlled play and an art project to prove their child was learning. And let’s me honest: the art project was mostly done by me.

During this time, I also THOUGHT I had so many behavior problems. Little did I realize THEN, that the problem was ME.

That was what I believed from 1998-2008.
This photo was taken in 2010...in the middle of the beginning of a very long journey towards a truly CHILD-LED philosophy.

This was the beginning of embracing child-led learning for me. This photo means the absolute world to me, as does the realization of its message.

I hope you also have that photo, or moment that signifies the beginning of positive changes in your work with children.

I share this every year with the hopes that it will resonate with a teacher who is stuck in the “receipt” stage of teaching. I hope it inspires change. ❤️

Play is truly the work of children. 💕

Want deeper, richer play?

The kind that transforms your child?

"To encourage this kind of play we must: first, value it; second, observe it; and lastly, not interrupt." - Janet Lansbury

Our little "flowers" made some awesome art while decorating their flower pots recently.

They are being featured as part of the Mini Masters art exhibit at the Dahl Fine Arts Center this month. 🌷

Happy Easter! 🐰

Reminder: Adventure Zone Child Care will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Enjoy your time with your family and see you next week! 💕

Decorated our lockers with some Easter egg art 🐰🥚🙂

Our lunch today:
BBQ chicken -- one of the kids' favorites 🤗
Homemade oat bread
Green beans
Apples
Milk (not pictured)

Our meals are made with nutrition in mind. 🙂

Our seeds are starting to sprout! It may be gloomy today but gardening season isn't far away. 🤗

Learning has many different looks!

Physical & brain development • Balance & coordination – learning how their body stays upright • Core strength – engaging tummy and back muscles • Gross motor skills – controlling big movements • Proprioception – understanding where their body is in space • Vestibular system – inner-ear balance (crucial for confidence in movement) 🧠 Cognitive skills • Problem solving – “How do I get across without falling?” • Risk assessment – learning limits safely • Focus & concentration – staying present with their body 💛 Emotional & social learning • Confidence – “I can do hard things” • Resilience – trying again after slipping • Independence – choosing how and when to move • Trust – in themselves and in you nearby 🌿 Sensory learning • Texture awareness (rough bark, uneven surface) • Foot awareness (especially powerful if barefoot) This kind of natural movement play is exactly how toddlers build strong, capable bodies and calm, regulated nervous systems, especially outdoors. Hi 👋🏻 I’m Shoshannah raising my wild little ones in the outdoors of New Zealand come follow along our adventures @shoshannah.nz