Ruth Staples Child Development Laboratory

08/06/2026

We were delighted to welcome the Kansas State Center for Child Development for a study tour at Ruth Staples Child Development Lab School! 🌿

There is something powerful about taking time to play, observe, and reflect together. As we explored our nature-rich learning environments, we shared conversations about emergent curriculum, children's inquiry, and the role of teachers in making learning visible.

Thank you for spending the day learning alongside us—we're inspired by the connections we continue to build across early childhood programs!

08/06/2026

Check out our feature in the Heartland Farm to School ECE monthly farm-to-school feed!
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The first Heartland Farm to School and ECE Institute cohort, participating from November 2024-November 2025, included five Nebraska ECE sites, one team from Missouri, and three teams from Kansas. The five Nebraska ECE programs from Cohort #1 included: Bergan Early Childhood Education Center, Educare Lincoln, Fremont Children's Academy, Ruth Staples Child Development Lab, and St. John Early Learning Center.

This month, we're featuring Ruth Staples Child Development Lab in Lincoln. They bring Farm to Early Care and Education to life through hands-on, child-led experiences rooted in the "3 C's"—Community, Classroom, and Cafeteria. Children grow, harvest, taste, and prepare fresh produce from the outdoor classroom, helping them develop a deeper understanding of where food comes from while fostering curiosity and healthy eating habits.

The program has expanded food, farming, and nutrition education by launching a Harvest of the Month initiative featuring local produce and culturally relevant meals. Children participated in cooking activities, taste tests, composting, and waste reduction efforts, including the daily "Yuck Bucket," while partnerships with university culinary professionals enriched learning opportunities.

Family engagement has also flourished through garden events and hands-on activities like smoothie bike demonstrations, where families blended fresh garden produce into healthy smoothies. These experiences continue to strengthen connections between the program, families, and the community while extending Farm to Early Care and Education learning beyond the classroom.

Visit https://www.education.ne.gov/ns/nebraska-farm-to-school-institute/ to learn more about the incredible work each ECE program accomplished.

08/05/2026

So many of our RSCDL student teachers out there making a difference in early childhood classrooms! Way to go Paige!

Wishing everyone a great start to the school year!

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BVQ2XSds5/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Arnold Elementary is excited to welcome Paige to our amazing staff this year!

07/09/2026

To some, it's just mud. To children, it's a laboratory, a studio, a sensory experience, and an adventure all rolled into one.
From tiny muddy footprints to head-to-toe smiles, our teachers jumped right into the experience alongside the children.

Mud play helps our children grow and develop so many skills. It encourages:
🌱 Creative thinking and imagination
🤲 Rich sensory exploration
💪 Gross and fine motor development
🗣️ Language and social connection
🔬 Scientific thinking through experimenting, mixing, and discovering
❤️ Confidence, resilience, and joyful risk-taking

The mud washes away. The memories, relationships, and learning last much longer 🌎🤎

06/27/2026

This week, our teaching team had the privilege of presenting at the Natural Start Conference in San Antonio, sharing how we support children in building resilience through meaningful experiences in nature. We also spent time learning alongside educators from across the country and the world, bringing home fresh ideas and inspiration to strengthen our work with children.

Nature-based learning is about so much more than playing outside. It’s about helping children become confident problem-solvers, care givers, stewards, curious explorers, and resilient learners. Every muddy boot, climbing challenge, and discovery is an opportunity to build skills that will last a lifetime.

We’re grateful to continue learning, growing, and bringing the very best practices back to the children, families and students we serve. 🌿💚

05/29/2026

05/29/2026

Here we go the update you all have been waiting for….the box is a… library. Our outdoor library was built today by volunteers from NU Foundations! So thankful for their hard work and support.

We will keep you posted on ways we use the space to increase literacy experiences in the outdoor classroom!

We are grateful for the generous support from the Dein Fund donors. The contributions help transform ideas into opportunities and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.

05/22/2026

Spotted in the outdoor classroom: our newest “nature-based learning consultant”

🦝 ❌
🐀 ❌
🩶 Definitely an opossum.

Highlights from their visit: Excellent observation skills Demonstrates good bug hunting skills Strong sense of smell

The children were fascinated, the teachers were calm(ish), and the opossum reminded us all that outdoor classrooms truly are a place for great adventures.

05/21/2026

BOX UPDATE! 📦
It’s not a box… it’s an art table.
It’s not a box…it’s a map.
It’s not a box… ???
We are building something exciting! 📚

05/16/2026

If you are out and about this weekend go watch Eric as a Big 10 Outdoor Track Official at the High Jump!!! AND watch RSCDL Alumni Berlyn Schutz out there breaking records!