Nature-Based Early Learning explores how outdoor environments and nature-rich experiences support young children’s development across domains. Grounded in developmentally appropriate practice from National Association for the Education of Young Children, aligned to the Indiana Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies, and informed by the Growing Up WILD curriculum, this course prepares educators to design, implement, and assess meaningful nature-based experiences for children from birth through age eight. Students will examine the role of play, inquiry, and environmental exploration in supporting cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development, while also emphasizing safety, inclusion, and stewardship. Through hands-on learning and reflection, participants will develop the knowledge and skills needed to integrate nature into early childhood settings in intentional and developmentally appropriate ways.
