Resources for Early Educators

Preschoolers in a field © Emily Haranas
© Emily Haranas
 

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Mass Audubon is a nationally recognized leader in environmental education, serving 225,000 children and adults annually through its educational programs at 21 nature centers across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including licensed nature preschools, summer camps, Pre-K–Grade 12 school programs, teacher professional development, and adult education. 

Our early education programs encourage curiosity and wonder through hands-on nature exploration, movement, and play, and our professional development workshops are designed to help early educators build skills and confidence to include nature in existing school curricula in a variety of ways.

Professional Development

Mass Audubon's professional development workshops are designed to help early educators build skills and confidence for teaching all curriculum areas outdoors! Gain excitement for nature-based learning and teaching and discover a variety of ways you can include nature in existing school curricula.  Explore our available workshops, and keep in mind that all of our workshops can take place safely in-person or online. We can create custom workshops to meet the needs of your specific program. And we provide additional support services such as site visits and curriculum consultation.

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STEM Preschool Teaching Units

Mass Audubon is pleased to share four free, activity-based teaching units aimed for students ages 2.9–5.

Young children learn about the world around them by using their five senses while being mentored by a caring adult. By observing and learning about the natural world in classroom learning stations, outside in the school yard setting, and in their local communities, children can acquire an increased understanding about natural science and the world. 

English Spanish
Birds: Our Feathered Friends 1.46 MB
Nuestros Amigos Emplumados 1.36 MB
Soil: Digging into Soil 1.37 MB
Vamos A Excavar El Suelo 1.49 MB
Trees: Tree-mendous Trees 2.45 MB
Los Árboles Formidables 2.56 MB
Weather: Wicked Cool Weather 1.56 MB
El Tiempo Es Fascinante 1.65 MB

The publication of this Innovative Preschool STEM Curriculum was made possible through a competitive grant awarded by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Young Explorer Activity Sheets

Try some of these fun, hands-on activities for children as you discover and explore outdoors. These are great learning experiences for school groups, scout troops, and of course, families.

Browse activity sheets >

Our Expertise

In addition to providing Pre-K through Grade 12 school programs to over 118,000 individual students from across the state, we have eight licensed nature preschools in Massachusetts and provide weekly nature preschool programming at several of our wildlife sanctuaries. Our programs provide:

  • Nature Play & Discovery
  • Inquiry-Based Learning
  • Child-Centered Exploration
  • Shared Discoveries & Connection
  • Sensory-Rich Experiences
  • Early Science, Math, & Language Literacy