The Child Development Lab School at Plano Campus recently celebrated the nature-based updates to its playground. The renovations foster more opportunities for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) education, stimulate creativity, connect children with nature, and promote their mental health and well-being.

This was our dream for so many years, and to see it come alive, validates what we know about the positive effects of nature on children's learning, said Barbara Batista, Plano Campus director of Child Development. We have always wanted to add morenatural elements to the outdoor learning space, to provide opportunities to explore nature, promote self-discovery and encourage children to take more risks in their play while learning about safety.

Renovations included a redesign and replacement of playground equipment, the expansion of the playground enclosure to bring a nearby oak tree inside, and additional hands-on activities for the children, including a working hand-operated water pump and a garden. Batista said the teachers and lab students have observed more extended play that include STEAM themes.

In recent years, lab school teachers have brought individual pieces of nature, or loose parts, into the playground, including tree stumps and sea shells, for the students to explore. The expansion and renovation allows for loose parts activities to happen in a more authentic setting.

The new playground was designed by Green Space Learning and Development, a Texas company specializing in natural playgrounds for early childhood programs. Money for the renovations came from CARES funding received by Collin College. In the application for funding use, Batista noted the mental health benefits for the children of being outside and in a natural setting.

At a ribbon cutting event on Nov. 11, Plano Campus Provost Dr. Mary Barnes-Tilley thanked Batista and her group, as well as Dr. Lupita Tinnen, Dr. Jay Corwin, Cindy Duffer, John Brewer, and the facilities and grounds crew at Plano Campus for working to make the renovations possible.

I am thrilled about the chance to help bring more opportunities for outdoor learning to our sweet children in the Child Development Lab School, Dr. Barnes-Tilley said. The looks on their faces when they learn to plant a flower or explore the natural world is priceless.