Name: Designing for Discovery: Hands-On Nature Play Aligned to Illinois Early Learning Standards
Start: 2026-10-24T12:45:00-0500
End: 2026-10-24T13:45:00-0500

Designing for Discovery: Hands-On Nature Play Aligned to Illinois Early Learning Standards

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT

TBD - Outdoor

Participants will work in collaborative groups designing standards-aligned nature play activities using natural materials and loose parts. Participants will leave with concrete ideas they can immediately adapt for their own early childhood settings, as well as tools for planning future standards-aligned nature play experiences with intention and confidence.

Speakers

Dr. Lindsay Maldonado

Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Education, Northeastern Illinois University

Lindsay holds a Ph.D. in Child Development. She is Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education at Northeastern Illinois University, and currently serves on the NINPA Board of Directors.

Stacy Niemiec

Founder, Executive Director, & Teacher, River Oak Co-op Outdoor Preschool

Stacy holds a BS in Environmental Science, an MS in Child Development, and a certificate in Ecotherapy. She is a founder and teacher at River Oak Co-op, a fully outdoor preschool program in Chicago. Her focus is providing a play-based, child-led program where children can find joy... Read More →

Saturday October 24, 2026 12:45pm - 1:45pm CDT
TBD - Outdoor

Spaces & Experiences

Tickets

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Second Nature 2026

Dr. Lindsay Maldonado

Stacy Niemiec

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Success you have shared X tickets.

Second Nature 2026

Dr. Lindsay Maldonado

Stacy Niemiec

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