Growing Up WILD – Outdoor Explorations for the Littles
FREE training for parents, caregivers and teachers:
Growing Up WILD
I recently had the opportunity to attend a Growing Up Wild training hosted by the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians. Kerry Wixted, of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, led a fun and engaging program complete with animal furs, bird nests and Oreo spiders! I am so thrilled to be able to offer the program to Southern Maryland residents who wish to connect the children in their lives with the natural world around them. For more information about the Growing Up WILD curriculum, visit http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/Education/GrowingUpWILD.aspx
Our family will personally be using the curriculum as a crucial part of our kindergarten homeschooling plan. The curriculum offers easy-to-follow instructions for presenting themes from turkeys to bears, animal tracks to fishing. Each lesson plan includes a healthy, themed snack idea, an art or craft project, vocabulary and math components, fun nature song and even a Spanish take-home supplement. The program book could easily be used by parents, daycare providers, nannies or teachers, even grandparents.
From the Department of Natural Resources website:
Growing Up WILD (GUW) is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world in addition to lifelong social and academic skills.
The GUW guide is designed to teach children ages 3-7 through 27 field-tested, hands-on activities. These activities include outdoor explorations, scientific inquiry, art projects, music and movement, conservation activities, reading and math connections and “Healthy Me” uniting with the Let’s Move Campaign.
GUW entails social, emotional, physical, language, and cognitive fields to help foster learning and development in all areas. The activities support developmentally appropriate practices allowing children to learn at levels that are individually, socially, and culturally appropriate. Best of all, GUW activities are correlated to “Common Core, Literacy Standards, and Head Start domains.”
All participants who attend the 3-hour training will receive a FREE copy of the Growing up WILD guide—complete with all lesson plans and materials ready to be photocopied (find a sample lesson here: http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/GUW_FishingFun_Sample.pdf ) In addition, the training counts towards 3 hours of continuing education, elective curriculum for child care providers. Throughout the training participants will sing songs, use their creative energies and play educational games.
**REGISTRATION INFORMATION**
Please register at the following link: http://goo.gl/forms/vnZbtqFNFc
There are limited spaces available, and you must register by March 6.
Growing Up WILD, led by Kerry Wixted
Tuesday, March 8, 4:30pm – 7:30pm (all participants must attend all 3 hours)
Waldorf West Library, Meeting Room B
**Please note that this is a training intended for adults only and no childcare will be provided, so please make necessary arrangements.
For questions, please contact Piper Scott at 805-717-7565.
(Disclaimer: The Library and the Library Board of Trustees does not promote or endorse the views of the program sponsors, program content or presenters.” )
More Information about the Growing Up Wild Program
In 2009, Growing Up WILD won the Family Choice Award! The Family Choice Awards was founded by the Family Magazine Group, America’s largest free parenting publication, and is recognized as the premier resource for the very best in children’s and parenting products and services. The Awards recognize the best in children’s and parenting resources.
Growing Up WILD is also the recipient of the 2011 Excellence in Journalism Award from the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation. The award honors and encourages excellence in print journalism about natural resources. RNRF seeks to advance public education and understanding of important natural resources issues through dissemination of accurate and scientifically-based information about the environment. You can find out more about the award and the RNRF by going to www.rnrf.org and clicking on News.
Connect with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
