Nature for All: Utilizing the Universal Design Framework to Incorporate Nature-Based Learning Within an Early Childhood Inclusive Classroom

Abstract

Experiences with nature are important for children’s development and there are many ways for educators to provide children with exceptionalities opportunities to interact with nature. Children with diverse needs can, and should, have opportunities to interact with nature. This article describes how to apply Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific evidence on how people learn (CAST, 2018a), to nature-based learning and articulates strategies for educators looking to provide more opportunities for all children to interact with nature, including those with disabilities. These strategies focus on how to incorporate nature within the indoor classroom and engage children with nature outdoors to promote development and learning.