Project Learning Tree Canada Releases Environmental Education Resource – Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children

April 15, 2024

Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) is thrilled to release a new environmental education resource today for families and teachers to connect young children ages 1–6 to nature, with a focus on trees.

Trees & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children offers hundreds of ideas for fun, indoor and outdoor, learning experiences perfect to celebrate Earth Day and beyond! Take toddlers and preschoolers on a nature journey, exploring the environment through their senses, experiencing trees throughout the seasons, and connecting with their community.

Every Child Benefits by Being Nurtured by You and Nature

Just imagine. The little nature explorers you nurture today are the future leaders making a difference tomorrow! When you introduce children to the environment, it sparks curiosity, creativity, and imagination. Being in nature promotes cognitive development, physical health, emotional well-being, social skills, and even healthy risk-taking.

“PLT Canada’s Trees & Me is a comprehensive resource that serves as a catalyst for early years educators seeking to cultivate meaningful connections between children, trees, and the broader wonders of nature. In a world increasingly disconnected from nature, this resource stands as a beacon of hope by encouraging educators to instill a love for trees and the environment in young minds. The carefully curated experiences are designed not only to support development and learning in children but also to engage a sense of environmental responsibility and encourage an understanding of living in reciprocity with Mother Earth,” said Alyson McMullen, Program Coordinator for Natural Curiosity.

What’s Included

Designed for families and caregivers, childcare providers, and early childhood or PreK-Grade 1 educators, Trees & Me activities can be easily adapted to meet each child’s unique needs and used in a range of settings, including preschools, childcare, nature centres, and at home. Special instructions tailor many experiences for children under three years of age.

Each hands-on learning experience incorporates elements of music, movement, art, math and manipulatives, reading and writing, and outdoor play, all while building key social skills like collaboration, empathy, and communication.

Trees & Me activities connect with The First Peoples Principles of Learning and pan-Canadian global competencies. Included with the guide are many supporting resources, such as tested techniques for engaging early learners, tips for outdoor learning and bringing nature inside, as well as ways to connect parents as partners in their child’s education.

Trees & Me can be purchased directly from PLT Canada’s Shop along with an accompanying self-paced online professional development course. Learn how to lead outdoor learning and bring nature inside to enhance your early childhood programming.

Celebrate Earth Month with Nature-Based Activities

From now until May 18, 2024, celebrate Earth Month and Teacher Appreciation Week with a special promotion on PLT Canada’s educational resources. Get 20% off the e-book versions of Trees & Me, Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide, and Green Jobs: Exploring Forest Careers using coupon code EARTHDAY24. Visit pltcanada.org/en/earthday for more information.

Introduce the children in your life to nature through PLT Canada. Together, let’s plant a seed and grow a lifetime love of learning and the environment.

About PLT Canada

Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada) is committed to advancing environmental education, forest literacy, and career pathways, using trees and forests as windows on the world. Our award-winning resources offer a lifetime of learning from early childhood through adulthood. Our wide and diverse network provides professional development for educators and opportunities for young people to explore nature and the diversity of green careers in the forest and conservation sector. Together, we are growing future forest and conservation leaders. Learn more: pltcanada.org