Children and Family Programs

Little Trees Nature-Based Early-Learning Program

Play, explore, discover, and learn in this nine-month program for preschoolers.

Content Detail

Nature-Based Early-Learning Program (3–5 years old)

Children will discover the wonder and beauty found within the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres as they play, learn, and come to know the natural world. Exploring nature through the changing seasons provides the perfect landscape for fostering adaptive life skills while laying a foundation for a continuous love of learning.

The mission of Little Trees is to help young children develop a deep and meaningful relationship with the natural world through outdoor play and emergent discovery. The Little Trees curriculum is seasonally based and interest driven.

Through natural curiosity, a child may wonder about the leaves changing color, the sudden appearance of a puddle, fresh animal tracks in the snow, or the appearance of migrating birds flying overhead.

These daily explorations and provocations complement what is occurring within the natural environment, turning these phenomena into investigative themes. As young student scientists, children use field guides, tools, and natural materials to delve into these topics while engaging in activities that build physical, social-emotional, and cognitive skills. This approach fuels organically created experiences all year—deeply resonant events born from the children’s innate curiosity and connection to the natural world around them.

Contact Meg Gessler for more information on the program.

Roots Session (3-year-olds): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Sold out)

Saplings Session (4-year-olds): Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Sold out)

Trees Session (4- and 5-year-olds): Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Sold out)

Facilities

The Morton Arboretum provides an unparalleled location for nature-based learning. Children will discover the wonder and beauty found within the Arboretum’s 1,700 acres. Situated on the rolling Valparaiso moraine and bisected by the East Branch of the DuPage River, the Arboretum is home to forests, creeks, savannahs, prairies, and lakes, all of which provide a rich natural environment for exploration and learning. Experienced instructors trained in nature-based education will share their enthusiasm for the natural world with the children on their daily explorations through the varied environments.

During outdoor exploration, children frequently have the opportunity to observe native wildlife, including white-tailed deer, red-eared sliders, sunfish, bullfrogs, red-tailed hawks, monarch butterflies, and hundreds more. Our indoor classrooms provide sheltered space from inclement weather and are located inside the Thornhill Education Center and the Children’s Garden where there are exploration stations for dramatic play, art, literacy, blocks, science experiments, and more.

Fees and Policies

Tuition

All section fees will be received via digital payment links posted below. Enrolled families always receive priority registration for the next section of the program. If you have any questions, please call the registrar at (630) 719-2468. All program fees are billed to a single payer. Fee is per child and per section. There is a maximum of 12 children per session with 2 instructors.

This program is exclusive to Arboretum members.

Roots Session (3-year-olds)

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children must be 3 years old by September 1, 2024.

Section A, 8 weeks, August 26 through October 18: $800 (Sold out)

Section B, 8 weeks, October 21 through December 20: $800
(1 week off for fall break)

Section C, 8 weeks, January 6 through February 28: $800

Section D, 8 weeks, March 3 through May 2: $800
(1 week off for spring break)

Saplings Session (4-year-olds)

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children must be 4 by September 1, 2024.

Section A, 8 weeks, August 26 through October 18: $1,125 (Sold out)

Section B, 8 weeks, October 21 through December 20: $1,125
(1 week off for fall break)

Section C, 8 weeks, January 6 through February 28: $1,125

Section D, 8 weeks, March 3 through May 2: $1,125
(1 week off for spring break)

Trees Session (4- and 5-year-olds)

Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Children must be 4 by September 1, 2024.

Section A, 8 weeks, August 26 through October 18: $1,400

Section B, 8 weeks, October 21 through December 20: $1,400
(1 week off for fall break)

Section C, 8 weeks, January 6 through February 28: $1,400

Section D, 8 weeks, March 3 through May 2: $1,400
(1 week off for spring break)

Refund and Cancellation Policy

All fees are non refundable and non transferable. A full refund will be issued in the event that The Morton Arboretum cancels a class session for any reason. Refunds will be issued to the same credit card used to make the original payment.

Request More Information

630-719-2462
mgessler@mortonarb.org

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