Pre-K & Kindergarten

Pre-K & Kindergarten programs are designed for students ages five and up.

Registration & Fee Information

TREES IN A NUTSHELL

1.25 hours

120 students maximum

Nature detectives hit the trail to uncover the life cycle of trees through games, role play, and guided observation. Our discovery includes investigations into seeds, saplings, adult trees, and fallen logs. Connections are made between fallen logs and soil production to bring the amazing cycle full circle.
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
This program emphasizes the following Illinois Learning Standards:
11A-1a: Observation

12A-1a: Component Parts of Living Things

12A-2a: Simple Life Cycles

IT'S FALL!

1.25 hours

120 students maximum

With each season many changes occur in nature. Through storytelling and active inquiry students discover how plants and animals respond to changes in the fall season and prepare for winter.  Students investigate questions such as Why do leaves change color? and How do animals and insects survive the winter?
Pre-Visit Vocabulary List
This program emphasizes the following Illinois Learning Standards:
11A-1b: Scientific Questions
12B-1b: Interdependence / Survival

12E-1b: Seasonal Change

LEAVE NO CHILD INSIDE

1.25 hours

200 students maximum

A growing body of research is telling us that unstructured time spent outdoors in nature is critical to children's physical, social, and emotional development. Such outdoor experiences can foster creativity, emotional well-being, independent learning, and problem solving. The beauty of the Arboretum changes daily, and your students will have an opportunity to explore whatever is most interesting on the day of your visit. One of our guides can be on hand to answer questions and guide students to exciting questions and observations, but the focus is on free exploration of nature.
(This program is not meant to address any specific Illinois Learning Standards.)