Teaching Supplies & Child Care

Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners - Paperback

Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners - Paperback - Main image
Primary Image of Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners - Paperback
$29.97 $49.95 In stock

Category: Learning Center

What can jellyfish, a bunch of grapes, or dandelions possibly teach us about designing early childhood classrooms? As it turns out, quite a lot!

Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners

explores how nature offers valuable and important lessons about transforming classroom spaces into places where infants and toddlers can thrive.


Discover what mushrooms can teach us about cozy hideaways. Learn what sea turtles can show us about wayfinding. Find out what lightning bugs can share about illumination. Squirrels and handwashing sinks? Yes, that too! Horses and learning centers? Of course!


With gorgeous photos and intriguing connections,

Inspired by Nature: Designing Play Places for the Littlest Learners

will help you see your infant, toddler, or twos classroom in a whole new way. Learn how to:

  • Make your classroom twinkle like fireflies
  • Optimize storage space like honeybees
  • Create a cozy environment like the forest
  • See from different angles like alligators

There's so much more to learn, so let the exploration begin!


Before you pay

Check the method and total at checkout.

When it ships

Allow for processing time as well as the journey to you.

Standard Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

Express Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

View policy
If you need a refund

Keep your order number and contact the store to start.

Please contact us for the refund processing timeframe before returning an item.

View policy
Delivery costs

Review the cost for your destination and chosen service.

Standard Shipping · United States: $0.00

Express Shipping · United States: $3.99

View policy
Returning an item

Check the return conditions before sending anything back.

United States · Return window (days after delivery): 30. Return method: By mail. Return postage: Seller pays.

View policy

Customer Reviews (5.0 / 5 · 3 reviews)

Penelope ★★★★★

The dandelion and grape examples actually made me rethink how I set up my own classroom corners, and the ideas are simple enough to try the next day. I’ve already dog-eared half the pages for the sensory table and reading nook.

Abigail L. ★★★★★

The jellyfish and dandelion metaphors genuinely reshaped how I think about classroom layouts — I've already rearranged my reading nook based on the grape-cluster idea. It's the first design book that made me feel like I was getting a fresh perspective rather than recycled tips.

Steven ★★★★★

I was a bit skeptical that nature metaphors could really apply to classroom design, but the jellyfish example totally changed how I think about flow and movement in a play space. The paperback is full of these simple, visual ideas that I can actually implement without a big budget.

Related Products