SAN FRANCISCO –   Over the past year First 5 San Francisco, in collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation & Park department and WestEd have provided teachers and directors with training, resources and design coaching aimed at building up outdoor space and play opportunities for the city’s youngest students.

This past week Catholic Charities CYO- Treasure Island CDC became the first of ten project sites to reveal the outdoor transformation taking place across San Francisco Pre-K programs. “At Treasure Island Child Development Center, we witnessed first hand the transformative effect of connecting children to the natural world. ” Said Eliana Elias, Design Consultant. “The goal of the Infant Toddler Outdoor Design Project is to support ECE programs in finding ways to enhance their outdoor spaces, adding natural elements.” Added Eliana.

It is evident that, across the board, early care and education centers in the city have recognized the value of connecting children to the natural world and the important role that such a connection can play in their development. The most universal benefit being that connecting children to the natural world allows them to explore freely, encouraging the most natural childhood proclivity for curiosity and discovery.

Read more about the transformation that took place at Treasure Island.