We were lucky to catch up with Kyla Maciosek recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kyla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I’m passionate about transforming the education system to better prepare students for a fulfilling life and career. One crucial change I advocate for is integrating more play-based learning into the curriculum. Research consistently emphasizes the significance of play in holistic child development. To build a strong educational foundation, we must prioritize experiential learning over early academic pressure. What “we” (the collective) often forget is that we have to lay a great foundation in order to build upon it. When we shove pencils into little hands that don’t have the muscle strength to hold them yet we’re trying to build the walls before the floor. When we make children memorize facts before they’ve had the chance to explore their own unique environment we’ve put up walls without ever putting in a door. Additionally, the prevalent notion of pressuring preschoolers to be ‘kindergarten-ready’ is counterproductive according to research. Play, especially for children up to 7 years old, is a proven method for effective learning. In my role as an education consultant, I strive to empower teachers to incorporate purposeful play into their classrooms. This involves helping them recognize the learning opportunities embedded in play and boosting their confidence in facilitating personalized learning experiences for each child.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I entered the realm of environmental education through roles at zoos, wildlife rescues, and botanical gardens. It was during this time that I discovered nature-based play programming. This concept resonated deeply with me, prompting me to pursue a master’s degree in nature play. Halfway through my master’s journey, a pivotal shift occurred when I joined a Reggio-Inspired preschool program. This experience introduced me to a whole new paradigm of interacting with children. Guided by a mentor, I embraced an approach that emphasized creating a nurturing environment where educators take on a supportive role. This philosophy not only nurtured comfort but also empowered children to thrive and explore their interests. I learned to follow a child’s lead, effectively address their emotions, and design captivating learning experiences. Inspired by this transformation, I realized the potential to impact others. Thus, the idea for my business was born. Nature Created Play is dedicated to revolutionizing education by offering specialized professional development training. Our approach involves deeply understanding each school’s unique needs and guiding them in embracing play-based practices. We provide personalized coaching, empowering educators on their journey. Additionally, we contribute to the creation of innovative outdoor learning environments. What sets us apart is our commitment to guiding educators through a shift in perspective, enabling them to facilitate impactful learning experiences. I’m proud to have built a platform that champions play-based learning and empowers educators to create thriving environments for children. Our services range from comprehensive training to personalized support, all aimed at fostering a love for learning in children through engaging experiences.

Did your side hustle turn into your main/full time business or career? If so, please tell us the story of how you got started with this side-hustle and how it scaled up to where it is today? What were some of the key milestones?

Yes! Yes it did! My side hustle has evolved into my thriving full-time business! In early 2021, I found myself working in a role outside the early childhood and environmental education field, feeling unfulfilled and disconnected from my passions. It was during this time that a pivotal conversation with a friend sparked a revelation. When asked what I’d do with unlimited time and resources, I voiced my desire to teach nature play and transform preschools into nature-based environments. I shared this revelation with my therapist, initially dismissing the idea of starting my own business. However, with her encouragement, I began exploring the concept, eventually coining the name ‘Nature Created Play.’ Taking one small step at a time, I officially established my LLC by September 2021 while still working my full-time job.
In the initial stages, juggling my day job limited the time, energy, and resources I could dedicate to my business. I gradually reduced my hours to 30 per week, allowing me to invest more into Nature Created Play. Around the one-year mark, I made a pivotal decision to dive in wholeheartedly and build the business I was passionate about.
I joined Business Networking International (BNI) to expand my network and made inroads within the tight-knit Tucson education community. As I gained traction and solidified partnerships with a few schools, momentum grew. By spring of 2023, I had gained enough momentum to confidently step away from my day job and commit to my business full-time.
Today, I’m immensely proud to be running Nature Created Play at full speed. The journey from a simple idea to a thriving venture has been filled with key milestones, including forming valuable connections, building partnerships, and honing my expertise in nature-based education. It’s an exciting journey, and I’m eager to continue making a positive impact on early childhood education.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most significant lessons I’ve had to unlearn, or perhaps learn more deeply, is the self-doubt that led me to believe I wasn’t fully capable of running and excelling in my business. This internal dialogue often whispered thoughts like ‘I can’t,’ ‘this is too challenging,’ or ‘I’m not cut out for this.’ It’s a struggle that many entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, can relate to—the feeling of not being ‘good enough.’ Recognizing this recurring mindset has been an essential step in my journey. I constantly remind myself of the value I bring to my clients and acknowledge the fact that I’m not just capable, but I’ve already been successfully navigating this path.
An incident that stands out is a recent email exchange I had with a man, where I found myself hesitating and overthinking my approach. I caught myself starting the email with language like ‘if you wouldn’t mind’ and ‘when you get a moment,’ already assuming I might be a bother. It was a turning point where I stopped and thought, ‘Enough, Kyla. Break free from this.’
Taking a moment to reflect, I asked myself, ‘How would a confident man write this email?’ I rephrased my approach, adopting a more assertive tone. It was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the power of self-perception and the need to unlearn the tendencies that hold us back.
Through self-awareness and challenging these limiting beliefs, I’ve embraced my capabilities with renewed confidence. I’m proud to say that I’ve been transforming not just my business, but also my mindset—empowering myself to excel in ways I once doubted.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.naturecreatedplay.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/naturecreatedplay
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/naturecreatedplay