Preschool InternAt — ENC Nature Preschool

Student will work directly with children in a nature-based preschool environment to gain the skills to appropriately plan and engage children in emergent curriculum activities. The student will develop greater understanding of a nature-based curriculum and how it relates to state regulations and policies. Student will work under the supervision of a mentor in a preschool aged classroom. 

Implementing a nature based, play based emergent curriculum with pre-k aged children. Foster a love of learning and provide transformative experiences through learning nature. Engage children in nature curriculum and learn policies/procedures in alignment with Title 22 Regulations.

Training:

To help the student achieve the learning outcomes, I will place the student in a preschool classroom with a Lead Nature Teacher who has taken the Outdoor Learning Classroom classes and learn to implement nature based learning for Pre-k aged children. They will meet with the mentor during scheduled one-on-one meetings, attend curriculum planning meetings, and meet with a Naturalist at ENC for additional training of native plants and the ENC environment.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the internship. the student will be able to:
1. Observe preschool class nature teacher curriculum implementation
2. Implement emergent nature based curriculum in Pre-k class as observed from toddlers
3. Attend professional development webinar on Nature Based Learning and “Creativity in Nature”
4. Learn and implement Title 22 policies that are associated with Nature Based learning environment