Course Overview

Welcome to the Intro to Developing High Quality Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs eeCourse. This course is designed to provide early childhood formal and non-formal educators with an introduction to environmental education, experience with early childhood environmental education activities, and the skills necessary to integrate early childhood environmental education into their classrooms, centers, family child care homes, and programs. Early childhood can extend from birth to age eight. For the purpose of this course, we primarily focus on ages three to six.

Objectives and Expectations

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

• Identify key characteristics of high-quality, early childhood environmental education programs.
• Describe how environmental education can help address early childhood best practices, standards and/or guidelines.
• Learn new early childhood environmental education activities for children/students.
• Develop a plan to integrate early childhood environmental education into your classroom, center, home child care, program or organization.

As a participant in this course, it is expected that you:

• Commit the time required to complete all readings, assignments and assessments.
• Complete Modules 1-6 and their associated assignments, as well as submit the final course assessment. You will have 8 weeks to complete the course upon enrollment.

Prerequisites

• Experience working in formal or nonformal education is not required but highly encouraged.

Required Materials

• Access to reliable internet and a desktop computer or laptop.
• Any of the following: Pen, Pencil, Markers, or Crayons
• Snack supplies (more details will be included in the modules)
• Digital copy of Course Journal
• Project Learning Tree’s Trees & Me (CAEE will email you an e-book link; or, you may choose to purchase a hard copy on PLT’s website)

Completing Tasks and Assignments

For each Module, you will record responses to prompts and complete tasks in a Course Journal. At the end of each module, you will submit your Course Journal with the relevant sections completed. 

The Course Journal and other documents will be provided in the form of Google Docs.  You can either download as a Word document or "Make a Copy" under the File menu to edit it as your own. Assignments can be submitted as Google Docs by using the link-sharing feature. Assignments can also be submitted by attaching Word documents. If you have questions or would prefer another option, please contact Lisa Eadens at lisaeadens@caee.org.

TIP: As you accomplish tasks within each Module, track your progress by checking the boxes next to each task. 

CAEE can provide you with a certificate of completion for 15-hours of work, however, you must complete all assignments. 

Grading

• Assignments must be completed with a score of 2 as indicated on the scoring guide provided.
• To receive a certificate of completion, you must complete all assignments and receive the scores as indicated above.

Important Dates
This course runs for 8 weeks, from September 30 - November 22, 2024. Although you can complete the course at your own pace, below is a recommended schedule for completing each module: 

• Module 1 - Complete by October 9
• Module 2 - Complete by October 18
• Module 3 - Complete by October 30
• Module 4 - Complete by November 8
• Module 5 - Complete by November 15
• Module 6 - Complete by November 22

Meet Your Course Moderator
Your course moderator is Lisa Eadens. Lisa is the Program Coordinator for CAEE and has been with CAEE since 2013. She coordinates CAEE's professional development trainings along with the Excellence in EE Award Program and Careers in Natural Resources Initiative. She will review and score your assignments, offer feedback and be available for the optional course meetings to answer questions.

Get to Know the Course