Mari Rutz Mitchell

Mari Rutz Mitchell is a leading expert on children’s environments. She believes children learn best through play, and their play environment has a positive effect on cognitive development.

Mari has conducted extensive research on young children during free play. She observed children building fanciful castles, cars, and all sorts of creations by using materials such as cardboard boxes, recycled containers, tape, and fabric. Her research shows children learn important social and cognitive skills through projects engaging children in dramatic play. Mari’s research will be published in Children Environments Quarterly, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.

With a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture and a master’s in human environmental relations both from Cornell University, Mari is a savvy designer, writer, and professor at Ithaca College. Mari currently teaches at Ithaca College, writes children’s activity books, and designs gardens.