UCO Child Study Center Opens Nature Explorer Playground, Inspiring Learning Through Play and Nature
Nov. 5, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma’s Child Study Center, a preschool that supports both early childhood education and hands-on learning for UCO students and faculty, recently hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Nature Explorer Playground—an innovative outdoor space designed to connect children with learning and play through nature.
The new space is recognized as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom, part of a national initiative that honors schools and organizations committed to integrating the natural world into children’s learning experiences through outdoor classrooms and comprehensive programming.
Designed to foster creativity, collaboration and overall well-being, the playground features a variety of play areas that encourage exploration and imagination. New additions include a painting easel, natural art tables, a chalkboard, and logs and wooden blocks for nature-based building. Children can also enjoy gardening with flower beds and a hanging herb planter, as well as a sandbox featuring a slide where they can pour sand and observe how it moves through the structure. The space also includes musical chimes, a xylophone, a drum, and a stage for dancing and singing.
"Children learning in a high-quality, outdoor environment is equally important as indoor learning," said Cristy Smith, director of the UCO Child Study Center.
"The sensory experiences gained while outdoors contribute to the child’s physical growth, health and well-being, as well as social and emotional learning. We look forward to the experiences that our children will have while they attend the UCO Child Study Center."
The new playground was made possible through an anonymous $100,000 donation in recognition of LaDonna Atkins, Ed.D., assistant chair of the Department of Human Environmental Sciences, who has taught at Central for more than 20 years. Atkins was also recognized at the ceremony.
The UCO Child Study Center, located on Central's campus, is operated by the Family and Child Studies program within the College of Education and Professional Studies. The center serves children aged 3, 4 and 5 of UCO faculty, staff and students, as well as families from the surrounding metro community. Classes are held Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, with options for extended-day enrollment until 3 p.m. or, based on availability, until 4 p.m.
To learn more about Certified Nature Explore Classrooms, visit certified.natureexplore.org.
For more information about the Child Study Center or to apply, visit go.uco.edu/ChildStudyCenter.
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Cutline: The University of Central Oklahoma’s Child Study Center, a preschool that supports both early childhood education and hands-on learning for UCO students and faculty, recently hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new Nature Explorer Playground—an innovative outdoor space designed to connect children with learning and play through nature. Pictured, guests explore the outdoor space during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
