Riverview Early Childhood Center becomes certified nature classroom

Riverview Early Childhood Center (RECC) in Brooklyn Park recently earned certification as a Nature Explore Classroom.

The national certification positions Riverview as a member of an expanding network of more than 600 nature-based spaces that foster highly effective, nature-based outdoor learning experiences.

These unique outdoor classrooms offer interactive, open-ended materials and elements that allow them to use their creativity, imaginations and initiative. Research consistently shows that children who learn and grow in Nature Explore Classrooms exhibit enhanced concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving techniques, manage stress in healthy ways and develop skills across the spectrum of academic and creative learning.

RECC’s outdoor classroom has served families in Anoka-Hennepin’s Early Childhood Family Education program since 2017 and will be the site of a new nature-based preschool program in September.