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
June 4, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fossil & Prairie Center 1227 215th St Rockford IA 50468
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 through the Iowa Department of Human Resources Registration system. Registration deadline: 5/37/2022. Cost: $30. Registration FREE for Floyd County providers - scholarship provided by Floyd County ISU Extension and Outreach.
Reconnecting Children with Nature
June 25, 2022
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Environmental Learning Center, 3300 Cedar St., Muscatine, IA 52761
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.
Light breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. Dress casually and appropriately for outdoor activities. Free—sponsored by Early Childhood Iowa Muscatine County.
Register through the Iowa Department of Human Resources Registration system. Registration deadline: 6/17/2022.
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.