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This Psychology Today article summarizes these three studies. The three studies look at different types of preschool programs and their long-term impacts on development and adult outcomes. This document looks specifically at reading skills for young children, but the message of the importance of developmentally appropriate practice is applicable to all aspects of early learning.

In terms of programs that fit this philosophy, there are a few that have decided to publically share what they do. Play Counts is one of them. Like I said earlier, Denita runs a fantastic preschool program and is very articulate about how her approaches set children up for success down the road. Teacher Tom writes a blog about his play-based co-operative early learning program, and again is very articulate about how his program sets children up for success. Both teachers are very reflective, and run programs that are responsive to the specific children in their care.

Not every playful program will look the same, and that is exactly the beauty of them. Each group of children is unique, and a truly playful program will adapt to meet the needs of the children in the space.

As a last note, I want to encourage you to be wary of any program with a specific "teaching philosophy" such as Montessori or Reggio. There's absolutely nothing wrong with these philosophies, and there are many excellent schools that run under these names. There are also a lot of schools who charge exorbitant tuition fees because they have a fancy title, but don't actually follow the philosophy they claim to be inspired by. There is no restriction to who can use the term "Montessori" or "Reggio-inspired", and I've actually met teachers working in "Reggio-inspired" preschools who talked about Reggio Emilia as if it were a person, and not a city.

I love what /u/weebles_wobbles said about finding a program that makes you comfortable because you know she will be happy and encouraged to grow as a whole child. At the end of the day, that's what you need - a place with teachers that you trust to love and support your child while providing her with experiences that will bring her joy.

We are not "dead." When someone posts, it might take a day or so to get a few replies, but we get relevant posts and replies pretty darn often for having shy of a thousand subscribers. We have many valued contributors which I have awarded flair so everyone knows who they are (and if anyone ever sees anything super-awesome, just send me a message pointing it out, and I will either put it in the sidebar or award them "active member" flair).

Also: Moms are certainly welcome here, and I like to think that we will have more resources and knowledge about developmentally appropriate activities than the average parent (and that's not to say that parents can't know, just that usually they are going by their own experiences (not based in science) and are biased towards their own ideology).

Anyways, It sounds like you have a really curious three-year-old and in addition to the other good suggestions, I have some ideas.

My First Atlas is a really good book for any child ready for the information, which it sounds like you little one is, already.

There's also a really cool demonstration you can do with him to demonstrate axial tilt.

You could also take him out to some different local landscapes and build them with him using paper mache, and help him name the land-forms. . .

And I also have to say that this is really mature subject matter for a three-year-old. It's a big concept. I personally never let that stop me from trying to explain things (with lots of analogies, visuals, and hands-on activities). He might not get everything exactly but that's OK. Later when he hears the information, he'll have a foundation on which to build it on. :)

Hope this helps, too. And if I think of more, I'll come back and edit.

You're right I did :)
I'm going to address this in three parts: home cooking, time saving, and content of meals

In terms of home cooking, I am an ardent advocate of whole foods with little to no processing. You can nearly guarantee that the children will be eating pretty healthy. Check out [Brazil's new food guidelines] (https://ca.shine.yahoo.com/blogs/shine-on/brazil-food-guide-takes-practical-approach-fighting-obesity-152211906.html), which emphasize home cooking and eating together - you're halfway there!

Obviously, home cooking takes time, but nutrition is SUCH an important part of children's lives and habits for their future that I don't think you should compromise. Check out things like once a month cooking and google 'cooking in bulk' to save you time. Something like a vegetable heavy lasagne can meet all your nutritional requirements in one fell swoop. Other tricks, like a 'prep day', example 1 example 2, can also save you time and stress when you're with the kiddos. Great things to prepare ahead of time that last: spiced nuts, homemade gummies, jerky, or fruit leather. I loved the rice cooker idea above, and you can kill several birds with one stone and get a [6-in-1] (http://www.hippressurecooking.com/pressure-cooker-review-instant-pot-6-in-1-electric-very-good/) so that you can cook meat faster as well, and do some slow cooking (you can make a great beef vegetable barley soup, served with a slice of bread and milk, and you're done). Things like a bread maker are great fun at daycare - my kids used to help me make a cinnamon bread, and when they woke up from their nap the smell would permeate the daycare. It was so pleasant and homey. I also find that the more kids help in making things, the more willing they are to eat it.

I took this course last year and it changed the way I cook and ate. Its referred to as the traditional food movement and if you're interested, check out the [Weston A. Price foundation] (http://www.westonaprice.org/about-the-foundation/about-the-foundation) and [Sally Fallon's] (http://www.amazon.ca/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735) book for more info - SO COOL.

In terms of the content of your meals, walk the permitter of your grocery store. That's where you live; meat, cheese, produce, and whole grains. Grains, nuts and seeds are easier to digest and more nutritious when soaked/sprouted.

Hope some of this helps. I love talking about children's nutrition and how it impacts their lives and education. Sorry to get all carried away.

I worked at an outdoor preschool for about a year. It's certainly a concept I love so much, unfortunately the owner sold to someone who didn't want to keep it an outdoor preschool(she felt the two classes couldn't handle being outside together and they'd get sick being out there in all weather)

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1. We would spend time outside if it was slightly rainy but if it was anymore than that we came inside. The school was new that year so many parents didn't know how to dress properly for the weather.
   
2. We basically stayed in the outdoor classroom directly behind the building but we'd explore the wooded area above which wasn't that large.
   
3. We would offer different materials. We had these built by the first owners husband: http://shop.natureexplore.org/s.nl/sc.1/category.2283/.f We basically offer anything we want in these. We also had a mud kitchen, garden and a acrylic art easel: http://shop.natureexplore.org/Art-Panel/
   
4. We had rakes, shovels, buckets, water etc. that we would let the kids explore with.
   
5. The owners idea was to take the typical classroom and keep it outside. So we ran centers with the discovery tables and did an art project on the easel.
   
6. We basically spent from 9-11:45 outside. Then inside from 11:45-3 for lunch, nap, snack and outside from 3-6.
   
7. I don't see any challenges at all. I find the outdoor model to be very helpful to kids. They have the rest of their schooling to spend inside in a classroom, so let them explore and be kids.
   
8. https://natureexplore.org/ has some great ideas. Most of which can be recreated for half the cost. Also check out Cedarsong on Vashon Island in Washington. Erin Kenny founded it(she recently passed away from cancer though) and she's founded one of the first nature schools. It's modeled after the German model. They still run training's at her school and she has a whole home study thing you can purchase which has a book, curriculum ideas, and a dvd. The book is amazing. I considered buying this to do nature studies with but we didn't have access to any water for the pond studies: https://raisinglittleshoots.com/buy-exploring-nature-with-children/ It comes with everything you'd need for a nature walk a week and you can print out the journal for each child. There's a few facebook groups that are awesome. Wildschooling is super helpful, it's a bunch of moms who do homeschool but outdoors. So like forest schools but for kids in elementary and middle school. Nature Preschool Ideas & Community is another great one as well. https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Classroom-Practice-month-month/dp/041572905X/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=erin+kenny&qid=1554420826&s=gateway&sr=8-5 Also I'm not sure where your located but Antioch University in New Hampshire actually has a masters type program specifically on Forest Kindergarten type learning. It's run by David Sobel who has some great books out on learning in nature.
   
   Something I suggest you do that I never got a chance to was visit other nature schools to get ideas on how they do things. If you have any other questions PM me! I'm super passionate about this type of learning.

These are the books I wouldn't be without in a classroom:

• The magic paintbrush is a beautiful story, based on a Chinese fable, with a lovely moral http://www.worldstories.org.uk/stories/story/154-the-magic-paint-brush
  
  
• The dot is wonderful for encouraging those reluctant drawers/writers http://www.peterhreynolds.com/dot/
  
  
• Lima's red hot chilli is awesome for talking about probelm solving http://uk.mantralingua.com/product/limas-red-hot-chilli
  
  
• Handa's surprise is lovely, set in Kenya, great memory activity http://www.walker.co.uk/Handa-s-Surprise-9780744536348.aspx
  
  
• Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's dairy- love the rhymes, and descriptive language (This author has a whole series of lovely to read rhyming books) https://www.amazon.com/Hairy-Maclary-Donaldsons-Dairy-Lynley/dp/1582460590
  
  
• The paperbag princess- challenges gender stereotypes. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240130.The_Paper_Bag_Princess
  
  
• Shh! An adaptation of Jack & the beanstalk, a little bit terrifying (so a good way to talk about those feelings) The kids love it (I guess like people enjoy watching thrillers?!?) Has been a firm favourite with every class I have taught. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/793745.Shhh_
  
  
• We're going on a bearhunt http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201126.We_re_Going_on_a_Bear_Hunt Perfect for retelling outside in the playground.

The philosophy at our school is primarily learning through play. Providing toys like play food, phone, dress up, Legos, dolls will help them learn and practice the things they see grown ups doing in real life or in media. Sensory things like play dough, gak, orbeez or even beans in a bucket are a cool way to learn tactile skills, and you can use scoopers, funnels, cups to fill them, scoop them, move them around. I also got [these](Learning Resources Handy Scoopers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQURG0Q/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_ijjZzbX5PSPC4) which are super popular are fun.

I tend to stay away from more acedemic toys and activities for that age range, unless they show their own earnest interest in them. I'd like to see young kids be kids for as long as they're able to!

How low price?

Your most affordable option of all might be a Tabletop Easel.

These Step 2 Easels are workhorses for under $50, but they are clunky plastic. That makes them easy to clean, but not especially aesthetically pleasing. Also, she would probably enjoy it for 2-3 years, but might think it looks babyish after that.

Blick has a great price on this Simple Wooden Easel right now. It's probably better suited to one gentle child than to a busy group and you would need to add paper clips.

This Wall-mounted Easel looks "big kid" enough to last her for years to come and the height can be adjusted as she grows - if the family is willing and able to mount it on a wall.

Crayon Rocks: They are great for strengthening little hands while teaching pencil grip. Just Rocks in a Box 16 Colors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002M28AOW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_BttdAbK24SFK5

Wooden Marble Run: If marbles are allowed for your age group. My kids love these and I just bring out the marbles when we use them. Ideal Amaze 'N' Marbles 60 Piece Classic Wood Construction Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00000IZC9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fytdAbKDMAVBJ

Hape brand: We use their realistic wooden kitchen items. This is just one we have. Hape Kid's Coffee Maker Wooden Play Kitchen Set with Accessories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WZM79O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gAtdAbQ6RP3TM

Anamalz: Small wooden animals. My class loves them. We have the farm set with their playmat listed under roaming Mountains. https://www.anamalz.com/

😊😊✏️😊😊 They might like this new resource: https://www.amazon.com/Little-Pencil-Finds-Forever-Friends/dp/0999522027/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518037477&sr=8-1&keywords=little+pencil+finds+his+forever+friends

For the record, LakeShore is crazy expensive but has a few bonuses: free shipping to schools, tax exempt if public school, and a lifetime guarantee for all their products. If you want to spend less, Discount School Supply has much of the same for hundreds less and Amazon is often even cheaper.

As for furnishing a room, I was in three totally different locations. My very first teaching job I was in a school that had all special ed self-contained rooms. The next year they decided they wanted to do an inclusion classroom as well and opened up a new room. I wanted to teach the inclusion class so I was responsible for ordering and furnishing it. This past year I worked at a brand new school that was being built and we worked as a staff to furnish the rooms and decide what we wanted. This year I'm in a new district and the teacher who was here before me was there for 27 years...and everything in the room was 27 years old. I called the district and said that things were in such bad shape (think: spider-infested dress-up clothes, headless dolls, splintered furniture, etc) that it literally wasn't safe for students. So...new everything for the 3rd time!

I have a few items of my own that I have collected over the years when I was an independent contractor for Early Intervention, but I made a choice several years ago to no longer spend my own money. If I need something I beg/borrow/fundraise. I just can't think of another job where it's expected to spend your own salary on necessary supplies.

The few things I've treated myself to that I don't expect them to buy are things that make my life easier but are not for the students: personal laminator, color printer for the room (can't tell you how often that has saved me), and a subscription to LessonPix. Oh...and I went all out and bought a really cute whiteboard eraser this year. Big spender!