From Needs to Nature: Crafting Effective Early Childhood Outdoor Environments (2026)

Determining what makes an outdoor setting ideal for early childhood development and how to craft such spaces is essential. Equally vital is educating future designers and educators to create environments that support age-appropriate play and learning. This lecture will tackle these inquiries, discussing the characteristics of effective outdoor environments that cater to the developmental needs of children aged 0-8. It will explore the connection between children's developmental requirements and various design features and landscape elements. Additionally, the session will delve into methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of these environments and identify strategies to design interactive, engaging, natural, and healthy outdoor spaces that promote holistic development in children.

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. List the characteristics of an 'effective' outdoor environment that supports the developmental needs of young children (ages 0-8).
  2. Discuss the connection between children's developmental needs and various design features and landscape elements.
  3. Recognize the various methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of outdoor environments for young children.
  4. Identify design strategies that create interactive, engaging, natural, and healthy outdoor spaces for young children.

Anthony Iracki (Moderator)

Professional Development Manager

PlayCore

As an experienced Professional Development Manager, Anthony Iracki is dedicated to making a positive impact in the park and recreation industry. Based in Michigan, he's passionate about promoting inclusion, innovative programming, and community vitality. 

Dr. Muntazar Monsur, PhD (Moderator)

Assistant Professor Landscape Architecture

Texas Tech University

 Dr. Muntazar Monsur is an Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Texas Tech University and an engaged scholar specializing in environment–behavior research focused on early childhood environments. His research and funded projects (over $2.7M) examine how play-supportive landscapes advance children’s health, well-being, curiosity, creativity, and early learning. He leads Texas Tech’s XR Lab, exploring the use of immersive technologies (VR/AR/MR) to enhance design research and education, and created the graduate studio Landscape for Learning, where students partner with communities on design-build and research projects. Dr. Monsur’s work has earned multiple teaching and engagement awards and is featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine.

This session will offer the following credits:

    

image
0.1 IACET CEU 


CEUs for a total of 1 Professional Development Hours (0.1 IACET CEU) will be provided to learners meeting the following requirements: 

  • Be present for 95% of the duration of the learning event; 
  • Participate in activities and discussion throughout; 
  • Complete assessment with 80% mastery of learning outcome;
  • Complete feedback/evaluation survey.


CEUs can be applied toward NRPA CPRP/CPRE renewal. To obtain your CEU, please visit the "Event Details" tab above to complete the associated components for this event.

Instructor(s) Disclosures:

The instructors of this training webinar are employed by PlayCore and disclose an interest in attendees partnering with PlayCore on their play and recreation initiatives.


Speakers Disclosures:

The opinions of the speakers in these events do not necessarily reflect the views of PlayCore and its brands.


Notes:

For any questions or to request a copy of the written transcript for this session, please contact core@playcore.com

Key:

Complete
Failed
Available
Locked
Recording / From Needs to Nature: Crafting Effective Early Childhood Outdoor Environments
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  75 minutes
Select the "View On-Demand Recording" button to begin.  |  75 minutes What constitutes an optimal outdoor setting for early childhood development, and how can we craft such spaces? Equally vital, how do we instruct future designers/educators to create environments conducive to age-appropriate play and learning? Throughout this lecture, drawing from my five-year tenure as a landscape educator, I aim to address these inquiries. Additionally, I'll delve into my observational methodology for assessing environmental affordances that enhance the efficacy of early childhood landscapes in meeting children's developmental needs. Learning Outcomes: 1. Define the characteristics of an 'effective' outdoor environment that supports the developmental needs of young children (ages 0-8). 2. Explain the connection between children's developmental needs and various design features and landscape elements. 3. Recognize the various methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of outdoor environments for young children. 4. Identify design strategies that create interactive, engaging, natural, and healthy outdoor spaces for young children.
You must register to access.
Obtaining your CEU Credit
Step 1: Complete From Needs to Nature: Crafting Effective Early Childhood Outdoor Environments Survey
9 Questions
9 Questions
You must register to access.
Step 2: Complete From Needs to Nature: Crafting Effective Early Childhood Outdoor Environments Quiz
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  80/100 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  80/100 points to pass
You must register to access.
Step 3: Download the From Needs to Nature: Crafting Effective Early Childhood Outdoor Environments Certificate
1.00 (0.1 IACET CEU) credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 (0.1 IACET CEU) credit  |  Certificate available
You must register to access.