IELDS Standard: 12.B.ECa
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Teaching and Learning about Insects
These resources provide information for early childhood educators who want to help children investigate insects.
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Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children
This resource list contains sources which can aid teachers and caregivers in helping young children appreciate the natural world.
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The Horse Project
Darby Harden and Tasha VerdeyenProto-Tykes Childcare CenterSullivan, Illinois Proto-Tykes Childcare Center provides high-quality full-day educational programs for infants and toddlers, 6 weeks to 3 years of age, and preschool-age children, 3 to 5 years old, in mixed-age classrooms. The center was founded in 1989 by a local company to provide on-site child care for its…
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One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project
Scott Brouette Western Illinois University Preschool Center Macomb, Illinois The University Preschool Center is located on the campus of Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. The children are ages 3-5 years and are children of university faculty, staff, and students. Most of the 21 children attend full days, 5 days per week. The center is…
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The Cow Project
Angie Herrington with Julie Morrison, Mandy Moses, and Mindy MosesSt. Ambrose University Children’s CampusDavenport, Iowa The project described here was undertaken in the Dragonfly classroom at the St. Ambrose University Children’s Campus in Davenport, Iowa. The Children’s Campus serves children ages 2 months to 5 years old. Children’s Campus teachers begin exposing children to inquiry-based…
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Things to Sit On
Projects are the part of the curriculum that involves children in investigating objects and events around them that are worth knowing more about. Project work is a way of uncovering a subject rather than just covering it. A project focusing on “Things to Sit On” has the potential to involve the entire class from the…
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All About Gardens
Projects are the part of the curriculum that involves children in investigating objects and events around them that are worth knowing more about. Project work is a way of uncovering a subject rather than just covering it. A project focusing on gardens has the potential to involve the entire class, the children’s families, and community…
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Changes in the Trees around Us
Projects are the part of the curriculum that involves children in investigating objects and events around them that are worth knowing more about. Project work is a way of uncovering a subject rather than just covering it. Most young children growing up in Illinois have opportunities to observe and study the dramatic seasonal changes that…
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Observing Chickens on the Playground
Teachers have given children an opportunity to observe chickens during free play, after first having arranged some activities that allowed the children to become somewhat familiar with the chickens in another setting.
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Getting to Know Rabbits
These supervised interactions between children and rabbits occurred during a science fair on the playground of a child care center.
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Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children
Here are some first steps for teachers who want to involve a preschool class in gardening—whether indoors, on the rooftop, or on the playground.
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Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts
Here are some suggestions for seed-sprouting activities.
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Things We Need: Economics for Preschoolers
Here are some teacher-tested ways of introducing economic concepts to preschoolers.
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Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads
Look closely at a pond or damp spot under a bush or tree or listen for their calls, and you are likely to find a frog or toad.
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Natural Illinois: Mammals
Look carefully and you may see squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, or field mice—or the tracks they leave behind.
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Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths
You don’t have to go to exotic places to find interesting plants and animals to study at home or in the classroom!
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Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around
Preschoolers can learn a lot about plants by studying leaves.
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Natural Illinois: Birds
Illinois is home to a wide variety of birds that are as close as your backyard, local park, or schoolyard.
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Natural Illinois: Insects
Illinois wildlife is as close as your local park or schoolyard.
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Pets and Young Children
Consider safety as well as benefits when deciding if it’s time for a pet in your family.
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Project Work in a Program Serving Highly Diverse Communities
ECDEC program staff has always been very committed to serving English-language learners.