Articles on the importance of play in early childhood:
https://www.verywellfamily.com/the-importance-of-free-play-2633113
https://edsource.org/2021/why-childs-play-is-serious-business-in-early-education/664339
https://www.communityplaythings.com/resources/articles/2016/bev-bos-on-play
Articles on the benefits of outdoor play:
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2019/outdoor-play-is-essential
https://news.sanfordhealth.org/childrens/play-outside/
https://parentingscience.com/benefits-of-outdoor-play/
The Adult Role in Child-led Play:
http://www.nature-play.co.uk/blog/the-adult-role-in-child-led-play-how-to-become-a-learning-ally
Books worth checking out:
“Balanced and Barefoot” by Angela Hanscom
“The Importance of Being Little” by Erika Christakis
“Lisa Murphy on Play: The Foundation of Children’s Learning” by Lisa Murphy
“Saving Play” by Thomas Rendon and Gaye Gronlund
“Free to Learn” by Peter Gray
“Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv