Dr. Robin Moore and the Natural Learning Initiative worked with our school on the design of our outdoor environment. Dr. Moore promotes the natural environment in the daily lives of children. Primary experience of nature is being replaced, he writes, " by the secondary, vicarious, often distorted, dual sensory(vision and sound only), one-way experience of television and other electronic media." According to Dr. Moore:

        "Children live through their senses. Sensory experiences link the child's exterior world with their interior, hidden, affective world. Since the natural environment is the principal source of sensory stimulation, freedom to explore and play with the outdoor environment through the senses in their own space and time is essential for healthy development of an interior life...This type of self-activated, autonomous interaction is what we call free play. Individual children test themselves by interacting with their environment, activating their potential and reconstructing human culture. The content of the environment is a critical factor in this process. A rich, open environment will continuously present alternative choices for creative engagement. A rigid, bland environment will limit healthy growth and development of the individual or the group."

Robin Moore