Jackson Free Press

The Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will implement a new early child initiative over the next three years, the museum announced last week.

"Playing the Dirt" is a research-based program that focuses physical activity and the natural environment for children. The program is part of "Growing Up Wild," a national early childhood education and training program at the museum for educators of children ages 3 to 7.

This summer, teams of landscape architects and educators will design outdoor play spaces outside the museum. The new outdoor play space includes areas for action, building, climbing, gathering messy materials, music and movement, and nature art.

"Families need more opportunities to involve their children in the natural environment," Angel Rohnke, Museum education coordinator said in a statement. Our teachers need better tools and training to bolster their own knowledge of conservation education and natural science. The Playing in the Dirt initiative will help teachers and families build connections to nature and promote healthy living."