Nature and Social Studies for Preschool
- Type
- Course
- Date of Publication
- November 14, 2023
- Price
- See Agrilife Learn
Overview
Course Information
Children are born curious about the world in which they live. In this course, we discuss how to use a variety of dresearch-based learning materials to promote and enhance their natural curiosity, reasoning, and problem-solving in the areas of social studies and nature.
After completing this 2-hour course, the learner will be able to describe how social studies and using nature support children's cognitive development. Social studies experiences should reflect the range of the children's cultural groups. The learner will be able to give activity examples from these two areas.
After completing this training, participants should be able to:
- Identify the benefits of nature for young children's growth and development;
- Create learner-centered activities that reflect the natural world;
- Describe elements of social studies and how those are reflected in the preschool learning environment; and
- Develop and implement learning activities related to social studies topics.
The development of this online course was 100% funded by federal Child Care and Development Funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as part of an $8,000,000 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission.
Looking for solutions in your county? Contact your local extension experts
More choices in Aging & Caregiving
- Course
Promoting creativity in an early childhood setting is critical for the development of children’s brains. Environments, daily interactions, and experiences are all opportunities to promote creativity in young learners. Creativity can be expressed through the visual arts, music and movement, and dramatic arts.
After completing this 3-hour course, the learner will be able to describe the elements of creativity, explain how environments can encourage creativity, examine how the arts can support development across all domains in early childhood, and discuss the different categories of creative arts with connections to the four developmental domains. - Course
Supporting the development of language skills is a crucial undertaking for all early childhood teachers. Language is the foundation for verbal language to occur and can be developed throughout every minute of the day!
In this 4-hour course, the learner will be able to explain strategies to use in the classroom to support children’s language development, describe how to create a language-rich environment and how this supports children’s growth and development, and explain how dual language learners are supported through ECE best practices and why this support is essential. - Course
Science and young children are a great fit! How many times does a young child ask, “Why?” This natural curiosity is the precursor to all different types of inquiry and exploration. Everything is new and fascinating for young children. Building on that is such fun, for you and the children! This course may be included in the training hours needed for the CDA credential.
After completing this 4-hour course, the learner will be able to describe how science supports development in the area of cognition, define and give activity examples for the categories of science and describe how technology can be used in a developmentally appropriate way in prekindergarten. - Course
Creating healthy habits is a critical element of quality early childhood programs. This course reviews practices that promote physical activity in young children. It is aligned with Texas Healthy Building Blocks recognition criteria and was developed with support from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- Course
Early childhood educators strive to establish warm and secure relationships with children in their care. Unfold strategies for building strong relationships with families while supporting social and emotional development. Recognize the importance of responsive interactions, positive guidance, exploration, and play.