Time spent in nature provides almost limitless opportunities for hands-on learning. Studies continue to demonstrate the harmful effects of a child’s separation from nature and, conversely, the benefits of strengthening this connection. These studies also show that time spent in nature can improve a child’s physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development.

Register your preschooler today for Heard Preschool Nature Explorers to encourage your child’s connection and fascination with nature. This informal science program introduces your child to the natural world through nature walks and hands-on science activities that foster cooperation with others, language development and creative play! This 13-week program begins the week of September 8 and meets one day each week on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 9:30AM - 11:30AM. Preschool Nature Explorers is appropriate for children ages 3 and 4 (please use child’s birthday as of September 1.)

Heard Preschool Nature Explorers will learn about habitats and ecosystems. From forests to prairies to wetlands, they will explore their surroundings. Songs, finger plays, and stories demonstrate how animals and plants make up a habitat, and how they adapt to that habitat. Preschoolers will study animals that are awake at night and cope with living in the dark, dinosaurs, fossils and much more. In these classes, participating children will talk about our responsibility to nature, and what they can do to help the plants and animals around them. These children will also explore the many different habitats on the Heard Wildlife Sanctuary, and get up close to living animal ambassadors. Additional information about this program and the registration form is available at www.heardmuseum.org/preschool.

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Heard was founded in 1967 by Bessie Heard, who was 80 years old when she saw the need to preserve a place where future generations could experience nature. Today, the Heard’s mission of bringing nature and people together is carried out through education, particularly of young people, which emphasizes an appreciation of nature and its conservation.