Project Learning Tree (PLT)
PLT Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood and music CD-ROM and winner of 2011 Teachers' Choice Award from Learning Magazine was developed using the tenets of early childhood education as outlined in the Natural Wonders: Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators.
Activities in the guide have been correlated to both the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework 
and National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards are modeled on the principles of free choice, hands-on learning, and open-ended activities for ages 3 to 6 years of age.
The book contains 11 activities which are arranged in three themes: Senses, Seasons, and Getting to Know Trees. The CD-ROM contains 11 tracks of music to accompany each activity.
The only way to get this book and CD-ROM is to attend a PLT workshop.
Activities in the PLT- Early Childhood Supplement include:
- Sidebar
- Contains and overview, teacher-based objectives, suggestions for assessment, word bank, and related activities from the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide.
- Background for Educators
- Contains relevant information that provides the educator with an understanding of the science behind what you are observing and exploring. The information will explain some of the basic science concepts, and help prepare you to ask meaningful questions and facilitate the experience. The information in this section is not necessarily intended to be shared with or presented to the children.
Introducing the Theme
- Use this simple introductory activity to prepare the children for other experiences. The open-ended questions will help you assess the children's prior experiences with the topic, connect with cultural or familial ties, identify misconceptions or fears, and begin to reveal individual needs for differentiated instruction.
- Featured Experience
Use this experience to spark the children's interests. It is usually an open-ended walk, outdoor exploration, or an observation that will ask more questions than it will answer.
- Group Experiences
- Group activities encourage conservation and interaction. Group sizes will depend on the ages and skills of your children and staff-to-child ration of your program.
- Learning through Music and Movement
- Reading and Writing
- Enjoying Snacks Together
- Taking Neighborhood Walks
- Group activities encourage conservation and interaction. Group sizes will depend on the ages and skills of your children and staff-to-child ration of your program.
Learning Centers
- Learning centers provide the materials and just enough structure for children to explore topics on their own and in a variety of ways, and make the experience accessible to children with varied needs and learning styles. Offer as many of these centers as your time, budget, and space allow. This guide recommends the following centers:
- Art
- Outdoor Play
- Discovery Table
- Math and Manipulatives
- Woodworking
- Dramatic Play
- Learning centers provide the materials and just enough structure for children to explore topics on their own and in a variety of ways, and make the experience accessible to children with varied needs and learning styles. Offer as many of these centers as your time, budget, and space allow. This guide recommends the following centers:
- Reading Connections
- Choose from a list of theme-related fiction and nonfiction books. You can place these books in the reading corner, read them aloud, and use them for reference. See a selected list of preschool nature books.
- Family and Friends
- Download Family and Friends pages for each activity and distribute to parents and caregivers. Each page introduces your theme and suggests ways that families and friends can enhance their child's learning experiences.
- En Español Familia y Amigos (Click on the activity and select Spanish Translation version)
- Download Family and Friends
Check the workshop calendar to find an early childhood workshop.