This month, Fields Pond Audubon environmental educators Melissa Gallagher and Sarah Raymond-Boyan partnered with Bangor Public School PreK classroom teachers for the launch of an exciting year-long Nature Connection Program specifically designed to bring the wonders of seasonal nature learning directly into early childhood education.
The fall theme, “I am a scientist,” focuses on sensory exploration in nature while caring for all living things. In addition to the classroom visit, each classroom received comprehensive kits designed to align with PreK for ME curriculum standards, featuring hands-on seasonal activities, from crafts to outdoor exploration, that strengthen young learners’ connection with nature throughout the entire school year.
While Maine Audubon staff will visit periodically for special programming, the kits empower teachers to seamlessly integrate nature-based learning into their existing curriculum, offering the flexibility to adapt activities to their unique classroom needs and students’ developmental interests while providing ready-to-use materials that make meaningful nature connections accessible without extensive preparation time.
