They may have playground equipment to run around, jump on and climb over, but the children at the West Virginia Public Employee's Day Care Center in Charleston just want to play in the dirt.
The children, all under 5, are so fascinated with soil, plants and creeping things that the day care's director has organized for existing plastic equipment to be replaced with all natural material.
"You should see how excited they get over earthworms," said Karen Frazier, director of the West Virginia Public Employee's Day Care Center.
Over the summer, the day care will renovate part of its playground to incorporate natural elements that encourage exploration. But, the transition isn't happening only because the children are looking to the earth for entertainment: The day care is part of a learning initiative that connects children with the natural world.
"The kids are going to enjoy it," Frazier said. "They'll learn a lot."
Frazier said she noticed many of her kids during recess would lose interest in the playground equipment after about 15 minutes. After some research, she learned the benefits of fusing playtime with learning and decided to give the children buckets of dirt and water.
The kids loved it.
"They're learning that if they take water and dirt, they can create something different," Frazier said. "That's very important for their imagination."
She went on to say that keeping kids engaged during outdoor playtime helps them develop healthful habits at a young age.
The project is being funded by a grant from Keys for Healthy Kids, an initiative that promotes healthful food and exercise for schoolchildren. Plans have been designed by Three Trees Design and Landscaping of Charleston.
The new playground will have three areas for children to explore, which lead designer David Hill said will serve as rooms. He said there'll be an art area, a butterfly and hummingbird garden and a space for music.
"We'll use natural materials," Hill said.
Some existing structures will remain, Hill said, but those that do will be upgraded to fit with the new aesthetic. For instance, the current chain-link fence will have bamboo weaved through its openings to give it a more natural feel.
Each area will have stones, wooden structures and other surfaces for the children to use.
It'll be constructed over the next several months with the help of community groups like West Virginia University Extension Services, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and others. Because community members will build the new space, instead of outside contractors, the project will cost less and the public will be more invested, Frazier said.
The community partnership will extend beyond construction. The playground also will be open for community use after school hours and on weekends.
"We think this will add to the whole community," Frazier said.
The new playground will be installed in three stages. So far, only the first stage is funded.
Frazier said the project will move forward if the first stage is received well. She said it would be.
"A lot of kids in the community don't have somewhere to go," she said. "I know it will be used."
Frazier said three work days will be needed to complete phase one. The first work day is planned for May 10. At least 25 people have agreed to help, Frazier said.
Other work days are scheduled for July and August, but exact dates have not yet been set.
While this will be the first natural learning environment at a Kanawha County day care, two others are in the planning stages. Zion Child Development Center in Charleston and Oakhurst Child Development Center in South Charleston will get playground upgrades as well.
More information can be found by visiting the West Virginia Outdoor Classrooms Facebook page.
Reach Samuel Speciale at sam.speciale@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-7939 or follow @samueljspeciale on Twitter.