Growing Up WILD builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Provide an early foundation for your students with this collection of activities written by educators and wildlife professionals and reviewed by early childhood education experts.
Activities have been correlated to national standards for early childhood education – NAEYC Criteria for Curriculum, Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and the NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. Additional correlations have been drafted to Iowa Early Childhood program and curriculum standards – Quality Preschool Program Standards, Iowa Early Learning Standards, and the Iowa Core Curriculum.
Growing Up WILD received the 2009 Family Choice Award and the 2011 Renewable Natural Resource Foundation Excellence in Journalism Award.
Iowa State University Extension provides Growing Up WILD training for early childhood professionals that include continuing education credits through the Iowa Department of Public Health. Visit the ISU Extension GUW Training site to find a class.
Correlations to Iowa Standards
Alignment to Iowa Early Learning Standards
Alignment to Iowa Learning Standards
Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards
Alignment to Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Reconnecting Children with Nature: Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training
March 26, 2022
8 a.m. - noon
Fontana Interpretive Nature Center, 1883 125th St, Hazelton, IA 50641
This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.
Register in I-PoWeR ; deadline March 23, 2022. The workshop is free thanks to the sponsorship of Buchanan County ISU Extension and Outreach, Fayette County ISU Extension and Outreach, and Child Care Resource and Referral of NE Iowa.
Reconnecting Children with Nature: Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training
April 30, 2022
9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Joy Community Center, 240 N. Douglas St., Afton, IA 50830
This workshop leads you out the door and provides hands on activities and resource materials to help you lead your own nature explorations. Growing Up WILD activities use age appropriate practices and concepts to build on children’s sense of wonder and invites them to explore nature and the world around them. Specially written for children 3-7, activities include sections to address many learning areas: math, science, language, literacy, health living, play, and creativity.
Dress for the weather - we will be going outside. A light lunch will be provided. This training is partially funded by Quad4Kids Early Childhood Iowa.
Register in I-PoWeR ; deadline April 18, 2022. Registration fee: $20. If you are a K-2 teacher, contact the Union County Extension Office, 641-782-8426.
Outdoor Inquiry for Early Learners
July 12-13, 2022
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Springbrook State Park, 2437 160th Road, Guthrie Center, IA 50115
Learn how to build upon children’s sense of wonder about the world around them through relevant, inquiry-based exploration. Participants will be introduced to strategies, skills, and resources (including Growing Up WILD and Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood) to help them lead children in age-appropriate, interdisciplinary outdoor experiences. Group activities will help participants integrate nature based activities into their current teaching situation. Participants will make and take outdoor learning kits. Teacher recertification credit available.
Register through the Iowa AEA Professional Learning Registration system.