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.
Upcoming Workshops and Training Opportunities
Growing Up WILD: Child Care Provider Training – Virtual
When: January 22, 2025
Time: Training is provided at-a-distance. Participants are required to complete pre-workshop activities online (1 hour) and attend the three-hour live workshop via Zoom from 6:00-9:00 pm
Cost: $45 – Includes colorful 248-page Growing Up WILD Resource Guide
Instructors: ISU Extension and Outreach & Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Registration: https://go.iastate.edu/GJZTN4|
Deadline: January 8, 2025 so materials can be mailed prior to class.
Questions: Contact Cindy Thompson at cpthom08@iastate.edu or 319-334-8013