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CURRICULUM FOR PROGRAMS <br />Curriculum for programs targeting earlychildhood learners <br />(infants /toddlers / preschoolers with their caregivers) will <br />be designed using the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence <br />in Early Childhood Education and other best practices <br />resources available through the Nature StartAlliance and <br />the Children and Nature Network. These include: <br />• a focus on nature and the environment <br />• authentic experiences <br />• child -directed and inquiry -based experiences <br />• curiosityand questioning <br />• opportunities to observe and understand <br />earth systems <br />• opportunities to observe and understand <br />the living environment <br />• an emphasis on children's sense of place <br />• skills for understanding the environment <br />• opportunitiesto observe, investigate, and analyze <br />• opportunities that help children develop abilities <br />to collect, describe, and record information <br />• a personal sense of responsibility and caring <br />• opportunities for extensive positive interactions <br />with nature <br />• modeling environmental sustainability and providing <br />positive examples <br />Curriculum for programs targeting elementary school age <br />learners (Kindergarten, 3rd graders, and 5th graders, with <br />their teachers) will be designed in partnership with public <br />school partners. Programming will begin with bringing <br />students to the Zoo during their Kindergarten year, <br />continue by connecting with students in their classrooms <br />as partof their 3rd grade curriculum, and extend by inviting <br />students back to the Zoo for a culminating experience <br />du ring thei r 5th grade year. <br />19C-25 <br />