Growing Up WILD builds on children's sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlifeand 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 Workshops and Training Opportunities
Reconnecting Children with Nature: Growing Up WILD Early Childhood Training
October 29, 2022
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Waubonsie State Park, Washawtee Lodge, 2585 Waubonsie Road Hamburg, IA 51640
Register Online - Click on Search Trainings, then search Reconnecting in the Title.
Registration Deadline: October 14.
Fee - $20.00. Partial funding provided by Corner Counties Early Childhood Iowa
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.
Held rain or shine. Dress for the weather as we will be going outside. A light lunch and snacks are provided.
For more information, contact Sandra McKinnon at sandram@iastate.edu or 712-355-2067.