A new collaboration brings early learning and nature together.
The Morton Arboretum and the DuPage County Health Department recently launched Basics-inspired spaces in the Arboretum’s children’s garden.
Principles of The Basics DuPage
“The Basics DuPage is an early childhood and development program that we are implementing countywide,” said Adam Forker, executive director of the DuPage County Health Department.
The Basics program is a set of five principles for parents or caregivers that supports healthy development, learning, and brain growth:
- Maximize Love, Manage Stress
- Talk, Sing and Point
- Count, Group and Compare
- Explore Through Movement and Play
- Read and Discuss Stories
“Putting The Basics principles into action and sort of bringing those concepts to life in a simple, powerful way, in a communal space like this that is outdoors is a lot of fun, facilitates that learning and development, but also with that connection to nature is a really special opportunity for us,” said Forker.
Exploring three new Basics spaces at The Morton Arboretum
Arboretum guests can make some of those connections at the new Basics-inspired spaces in the children’s garden, as they wander and explore.
“It’s about noticing things around you, sharing them with your grown-up, or with your child, and talking about them. We think that fits in very, very well with the message of The Basics, which is all about finding small moments in everyday life where you can talk, you can connect with each other, you can explore things around you,” said Emilian Greczi, the senior manager of early learning at The Morton Arboretum
The first space is inspired by the Tale of Peter Rabbit.
“We have some activity prompts and other experiences that families can participate in that encourage them to take a second to think about the story, find things from the story in the garden and discuss things about the story, and even have a chance to write a letter to Peter Rabbit and get a response back,” said Geczi.
The second space is the love and calm garden, which also features a chance for art activities.
“The third garden is inspired by the song of the Itsy Bitsy Spider, and that encourages families to talk, sing, and point. That’s one of The Basics principles,” said Geczi.
Forker says supporting the development of children is important to the overall health of the community.
“And these principles really help support establishing that strong foundation. Particularly doing it outside in nature is really exciting. We know that there’s a strong connection and intersection between health and nature,” said Forker.
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