Irvine Nature Center
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Early Childhood Programs Blog

working together

Forest Dreamers Go Into Hibernation!

December 2, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

What a wonderful week it has been at the creek! Our whole week focused around the creek and its muddy majestic-ness! From straining to sliding to moss covered fairy houses,… Read more »

Tags: acting adaptation creek dirt on my shirt drops exploration fairy garden families forest dreamers forest kindergarten Forest School free play free range kids frogs getting dirty hibernate hibernation hiking learning by doing migration moss mud muddy mudslide native americans nature based edication nature community performance playing in the woods with kids plays raindrops rainy play stream teamwork trail trees understory winter working together

Every Leaf Speaks Bliss To Me, Fluttering From the Autumn Tree…

November 4, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

  Forest Dreamers are poets of the forest! We explored the trails of our beloved Irvine with a song in our hearts! We heard  and created beautiful stories inspired by the fall… Read more »

Tags: a quiet place acting out stories alphabet climbing collecting leaves dirt dirt play fallen trees felt board story forest exploring forest kindergarten foxtails free range kids free range kids working together hiking hiking with kids Irvine journaling journals kids playing kindergarten learning by playing leaves falling maple leaves meadow nature school November off trail Outdoor education outdoor learning playing outside poems with kids poetry preschool Sit spot telling stories trail blazing Wild Nature Play working together writing poems

Oh My Gourd, it’s a Creature of the Night!

October 27, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

  Happy late October! As this month wraps up, the Forest Dreamers have been feeling the inspirations of the season! We got up close and personal with some pumpkins, gourds,… Read more »

Tags: bats climbing creatures of the night drizzle fall forest dreaming forest kindergarten forest stew foxes free play free range kids gourds harvesting seeds having fun outdoors hiking human spider web learning outside learning together no boundaries outdoor immersion Owl playing out in the rain playing outside with friends pumpkin craft rain play screech owl seasons. seasonal changes seed comparisons smashing things spiders squash the great outdoors trail blazing working together writing in journals

Ripe for Adventure!

October 21, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

Finding fall is becoming easier and easier this past week. From persimmons to pumpkins, we have found all sorts of neat things to pique our interests! On Tuesday, we were… Read more »

Tags: autumn olives black walnut ink carving pumpkins discovery fall colors folk tales forest kindergarten free play free range kids working together group work hay bales hiking hiking with kids ink Irvine journaling mark making music making painting persimmons playing instruments playing outside playing with kids outdoors pumpkin pumpkin seeds reading music self discovery signs of fall teamwork wild kids working together

Invigorating the Senses!

October 8, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

    Our week has been a memorable one! From fungus to fire, we have been heightening our senses and becoming even more aware of our forest and meadow surroundings.… Read more »

Tags: aphids categorizing classifying decomposition fall familes outdoors fire fireside folktales forest dreamers forest kindergarten fungi fungus goldenrod hands on learning hiking learning by doing learning outdoors making a fire meadow tomatoes mud native americans nature school nightshades outdoor school plant identifcation playing in the mud playing in the woods playing outside reading romping sassafrass sassafrass tea working together

Nature’s Sweet Sounds

September 30, 2016 - Forest Dreamers

We Forest Dreamers love action, excitement and adventure! Last week we started taking closer looks at the native and non native plants of Irvine. This week, we took a closer… Read more »

Tags: ancestral knowledge building clay coyote makes man creeping experiment folktales forest dreamers forest kindergarten free exploration free play fun in the rain games games with preschoolers getting muddy hands on learning learning while doing listening to the forest meadow meadow activities milkweed monarch mud native americans nature kindergarten outdoor kindergarten playing with a purpose playing with kids rain play reading school in the rain sneaking stream wet play Wild Nature Play working together

Sticks and Stories

September 16, 2016 -

A new week and many new discoveries for the Forest Dreamers! Our week really focused on storytelling. It was a BIG hit with our class! We discussed our own unique,… Read more »

Tags: acting a story Anansi climbing face paint fall families family time folk tales forest dreamers forest kindergarten Forest School free range free range kids group play hunting Irvine Irvine Nature Center journaling jumping kids outdoors learning by doing native americans Outdoor education playing outside preparing for winter preschoolers outside reading together rocks running spear sticks story telling stream searching survival team building tipi building tools tree spirits Woods working together

Forest Dreamers Spotted Exploring Trails

September 8, 2016 - Preschool

  News Flash!!! There is a new program in town! The Forest Dreamers Program is Irvine’s new all outdoor immersion program! Forest Dreamers were spotted on the trails of Irvine’s… Read more »

Tags: building community building trust climbing trees colors comparing sticks explore exploring new things exploring the forest exploring the trails fall family family hike family togetherness forest dreamers forest kindergarten free exploration free range kids friendship helping each other hiking with preschoolers hot weather Irvine making memories meet and greet music making native americans outdoor immersion outdoor school outdoor skills primitive skills race racing reading running spicebush spiders sticks summer tipi building trail blazing warm weather working together wrapping sticks

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    • About
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
      • The Nature of Things on WYPR
    • Visit
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      • Become A Member
      • Make a Donation
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Volunteer
    • Early Childhood Education
      • The Nature Preschool (Ages 3-5)
      • Little Birds (Ages Birth-3)
      • Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program (Ages 5-12)
    • Nature Programs
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GOUPS
    • Rentals & Special Events
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Birthday Parties
      • Pumpkins on the Green
  • Irvine Nature Center

    11201 Garrison Forest Road
    Owings Mills, MD 21117
    Phone: 443­-738-9200
    Fax: 410­-902-8210

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    • About
      ▼
      • Mission, Vision and Values
      • Irvine Staff
      • Board of Trustees
      • Employment Opportunities
      • The Nature of Things on WYPR
    • Visit
      ▼
      • Plan Your Visit to Irvine
      • Animal Ambassadors
    • Support
      ▼
      • Become A Member
      • Make a Donation
      • Other Ways To Give
      • Corporate Partnerships
      • Volunteer
    • Early Childhood Education
      ▼
      • The Nature Preschool (Ages 3-5)
      • Little Birds (Ages Birth-3)
      • Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program (Ages 5-12)
    • Nature Programs
      ▼
      • Programs for Children
      • Programs for Adults
      • PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL-AGE GOUPS
    • Rentals & Special Events
      ▼
      • Weddings & Rentals
      • Birthday Parties
      • Pumpkins on the Green
    • Become a Member/Renew
    • Registration & Payment